HOMELESS VETERANS

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HOMELESS VETERANS

• RON RIDGEWAY JOHN WIMBERLY
• TEXAS VETERANS COMMISSION

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I. VA DEFINITION OF HOMELESS

• A) Individual who lacks a fixed, regular and
  nighttime residence.
• B) Individual who has a primary nighttime
  residence
• that is
• 1.) Supervised public or private shelter.
• 2.) Institution providing temporary residence
  for individuals intended
• to be institutionalized.
• 3.) Public or private place not designed for
  ordinary or regular
• accommodations for human
  beings.
• C) Who is a veteran
• 1.) Based upon discharge from active duty with
  other
• than a dishonorable
  discharge.
• 2.) May vary depending on type and
  length of service
• 3.) Refer to eligibility criteria
  for VA Compensation
• and Pension Benefits.

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II. HOMELESS VETERAN STATISTS

• A. 200,000 Homeless Veterans Nationwide
• B. 25 of Homeless are Veterans
• C. 4 Homeless Veterans are Women

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III. REASONS FOR HOMELESSNESS

• A. Substance Abuse (Drugs/Alcohol)
• B. Mental Illness
• C. Employment
• D. Lack of Family Social Support

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IV. NEEDS OF HOMELESS

• Permanent Housing
• Transportation
• Transitional Housing
• Medical Care
• Job Assistance

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V. NEEDS COVERED BY VA

• Health/Medical
• Compensation or Pension when eligible
• 1. Priority Processing on VARO Claims

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HOMELESS PROGRAMS

• Grant and per diem program annually (as finding
  permits) the VA to fund community agencies who
  provide transitional housing or service centers
  for homeless veterans.
• Multifamily Transitional Housing
• Veteran Industries
• 1. Compensated Work Therapy (CWT)
• 2. Transitional Residence Program (TR)
• Domiciliary Care For Homeless Veterans
• Supported Housing
• F. Drop in Centers

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VII. COLLABORATION OF RESOURCES

• National Coalition for Homeless Veterans
• 1. US Vets
• 2. Local Providers
• 3. Texas Homeless Network
• 4. HUD

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VIII. STANDDOWN

• Provides one stop shopping for needs of homeless.
• B. Provides access to
• multi-services.

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TEXAS INTERAGENCY COUNCIL FOR THE HOMELESS (TICH)

• Created in 1989 to coordinate homeless resources
  and services in the State of Texas. For all
  agencies dealing with homeless.
• TICH is responsible for Annual Report to
  Governors Office.
• TVC responsibility to TICH
• 1. Coordinate with other providers.
• 2. Provide Technical Assistance.
• 3. Develop coordination of services within TVC.
• 4. Maintain Central Resource Center.

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HOMELESS CONTACTS FOR REFERRALS OR ASSISTANCE

• A. National Coalition for Homeless Veterans
• 333 ½ Pennsylvania Ave., SE
• Washington, D.C. 20003-1148
• 202/546-1969
• 202/462-4822
• 1-800-VET-HELP
• www.nchv.org
• B. Texas Homeless Network
• 1713 Fortview Road
• Austin, Texas 78704
• 512/482-8270
• Email newsletter_at_thn.org

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XI. HOMELESS LOG SHEET TO REPORT CONTACTS WITH
HOMELESS VETERANS

• PLEASE SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT
• PRIORITY MAIL

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• Questions?