A random survey of homeless veteran service providers conducted earlier this month by NCHV suggests the homeless veteran population in America is experiencing significant changes. While not scientific, the results demonstrate a need for a more comprehensive survey of homeless veteran clients requesting services, and possibly the need to develop more effective intervention and prevention strategies to serve them. 

 

Survey questionnaires were sent to 179 NCHV member organizations nationwide in late October requesting information about the number of veterans served, gender, age, employment status and period of service. Reponses were received from 37 organizations, about 20% of our member organizations that provide transitional housing and supportive services. The survey indicates an 11 to 14% increase in the number of clients requesting assistance over 2004 demand levels.

 

More importantly, the homeless veteran population receiving services appears to be aging, and the percentage of women seeking services is growing. In the 1999 National Survey of Homeless Service Providers and Clients (NSHSPC) – regarded as the most reliable data on homelessness in America – women veterans accounted for only 2% of the homeless veteran population. More than 6% of the NCHV survey sample's homeless veteran clients are women, and that percentage is expected to increase dramatically due to greater numbers of women in combat operations, along with increased identification of and a greater emphasis on care for victims of sexual assault and trauma.

 

In 1999, NSHSPC estimated 47% of homeless veterans served during the Vietnam Era. The NCHV survey shows that age group may now account for as many as 56% of the homeless veterans in assistance programs. The representation of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) veterans currently stands at only 1.7%, a figure most studies predict will explode over time. The results seem to support the expectation of many that increases in services over current levels will be needed to serve aging Vietnam veterans, women veterans and combat veterans of America's current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

 

Beginning in January 2006, NCHV will conduct a more thorough survey of member organizations to better determine the program needs of the nation's service providers, and to support our advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill. It is imperative that service providers participate in this survey to ensure the continued effectiveness of our national homeless veteran assistance network.

 

 

Century Housing of Culver City, CA, has awarded the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) a $200,000 challenge grant to provide support for the organization's growth and administrative programs for Fiscal Year 2006. The formal announcement was made at the NCHV Board of Directors Meeting in Washington, D.C., November 13.

 

Century Housing has been the principal corporate partner of NCHV since 1995, providing leadership, counsel and financial support that have helped the organization evolve into the nation's leading authority on homeless veteran issues and the programs in place to help them. Century's president and CEO, G. Alan Kingston, has served on the NCHV board of directors, and Vice President and COO Robert Norris currently serves on the board as secretary. Century Housing has sponsored the publication and distribution of the NCHV newsletter since 2000, and has made significant contributions to the organization's programs throughout the last decade.

 

Century Housing is a private, nonprofit corporation working as a financial intermediary for affordable housing developers in greater metropolitan Los Angeles to provide quality, affordable, attractive housing enhanced by social services. Century has helped create more than 11,000 affordable homes for more than 15,000 families, and provided financing for the Cabrillo Plaza Apartments and Villages of Cabrillo developments that provide transitional housing for formerly homeless veterans working to achieve financial stability and independence. 

 

During the board meeting, NCHV directors developed a strategic plan and ambitious resource development plan to complement the Century Housing challenge grant, with a goal of raising at least $200,000 in additional corporate and private donations. The funds will be dedicated to expanding the services NCHV offers to homeless veteran service providers nationwide.

 

 

On Thursday, Dec. 8, 2005, the White House and the Departments of Justice, Commerce, Agriculture, Labor, Veterans Affairs, Health & Human Services, Housing & Urban Development, and Education, the Agency for International Development, and the Small Business Administration will host a conference in Nashville to help faith-based and community organizations learn more about President Bush's "Faith-Based and Community Initiative." The conference is designed to advise social service groups that have experience with government grants about how they can produce more competitive applications. NCHV Technical Assistance Director Melanie Lilliston will discuss the VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program at the conference.

 

The conference at the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel, 2100 West End Avenue, is free, but pre-registration is required.  Registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Visit www.fbci.gov to register online.  Please register by Friday, December 2.  If you must cancel your registration, please send an email to fbci@dtihq.com so the office may accommodate as many people as possible.

 

 

 

 

The Department of Labor announced the launch of a website designed to serve as a one-stop resource for all government benefits. The website lists benefits by state, category, and features a detailed resource page. For more about this new site, please see: http://www.govbenefits.gov/govbenefits/index.jhtml.

 

 

The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV), through a grant from Eli Lilly and Company, announces the opening of the Job Assistance for Veterans' Advancement (JAVA) Business Loan Program. Loan amounts up to $25,000 will be awarded as seed money to up to four sites to give community-based organizations an opportunity to create a business venture that will produce a new funding stream. This project, employing homeless veterans in a staff capacity, will provide veterans help in developing their business skills and increasing their employment potential. Eligible organizations include community and faith-based organizations with an established reputation of working with veterans. These loans are interest-free and may be repaid over a 24- to 36-month term.  

 

Applications will be reviewed by the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans for completeness and relevance according to established site selection criteria. Application deadline is December 1, 2005. Projects selected for the initial round of start-up loans will be announced January 6, 2006. For application instructions, go to www.nchv.org/news_article.cfm?id=194.

 

In response to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, a toll-free medical services access telephone number has been established for veterans who receive care at the Biloxi, Gulfport, MS, and New Orleans VA medical centers. Veterans who need care, or their families, should call 1-800-507-4571 for information on where veterans should go to receive care, how to obtain prescription medications, or for any other concerns they may have about their care. The phone line will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.