Post on 23-Feb-2016
description
Total percentage decline between 2005 (15,420) and 2009 (6,540): 58%*Los Angeles Housing Service Authority (2007), Figure 2, page 5.** Los Angeles Housing Service Authority (2009), Table 3, p.2
Combating Veteran Homelessness
It will take all of us
Homeless Veterans ”…we will provide new help for
homeless Veterans because those heroes have a home—it’s the country they served, the United States of America. And until we reach a day when not a single Veteran sleeps on our nation's streets, our work remains unfinished.”
- President Barack Obama,
March 16, 2009
General Shinseki on Homeless Veterans
“You see, to get to zero, we have to attack the entire cycle of downward spirals that end in homelessness — the last step in the loss of hope. We can't solve it, at the state or national levels, unless we attack jobs and education, health care and substance abuse, depression and suicides and housing.” (2009)
“When I arrived in VA I began teaching myself to say ‘Veterans lead the Nation in homelessness, depression, substance abuse, and suicides. And they rank right up there in joblessness as well.” it was a punch in the gut for me and I repeated that line until it sunk in.” (2010)“Resources alone won’t end Veteran homelessness—people will. Determined, dedicated risk-takers who know the causes; who know what may work and what definitely won’t; and, who know how to deliver a mission that’s complex, complicated, rife with bureaucracy, and historically long on promises and short on delivery.” (2010)
Homeless Veterans*
75,609 Homeless Veterans in the U.S.
25.9% of all homeless Veterans reside in CA.
14.9 % of all homeless reside in California
* Data from the Veterans Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (2009)
Site
Estimate of Homeless
Veterans in Service Area
FY 2009
Estimate of Homeless
Veterans in Service Area
FY 2011
Los Angeles/Long Beach 8,197*Loma Linda 1,588San Diego 1,800 1649VISN 22 Total 11,585
*It is estimated there are 8,197 homeless Veterans total in the service area shared by VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System and VA Long Beach Medical Center
Homeless Veterans in Southern California
Who are California Homeless Veterans?
Fiscal Year 2010
Northern California (V21)
Southern California (V22)
VA San Diego
# of New homeless seen
2,125 4,226 1462
Age 52 50.9 50.2Vietnam Era
39% 33.7% 33%
Post Vietnam
40% 40% 29%
Persian Gulf
19.3% 21.8% 23%
OEF/OIF 5.1% 7.1% 13%
Homeless Veterans Health Issues
Medical Problems-47% Alcohol- 52.2% Drugs-50.7% Substance Use- 74% Serious Psychiatric-57% 50% homeless more than 2 years
VASDHS Homeless Program
OUTREACH Transitional Housing
Grant and Per Diem Program-508 beds VA Supportive Housing- 590 units Recuperative Beds- 17 Veteran Treatment Court-VJO VA Homeless Prevention VA Domiciliary- opening 2012
California has 15.6% of the nation’s VASH Vouchers
VISN #21 VISN #22 California0
500100015002000250030003500400045005000
16603450
4680
VASH Vouchers
California has 24.4% of all Grant Per Diem Beds in the Country
VISN #21 VISN #22 California0
500100015002000250030003500
929
2000
2929
GPD Beds
GPD Beds
Oct-10 Nov-11 Dec 10
Jan-11 Feb-11 Mar-110
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
No. Cal (21)So. Cal (22)
Calls to National Homeless Hotline*1-877-4AID VET 877- 424-3838
* 5/10 a 24/7 National Homeless Hotline went live. 591 calls from California have been received since 10/10
Partnering to end homelessness
In working with homeless veterans, we must enter into partnerships with both the public/private sector because no one agency or government agency alone can meet all of their needs. Homeless veterans need treatment, work, housing and a support system offered in a manner that is comprehensive, coordinated and integrated.
Collaboration in Motion
None of us can do this on our own. We need each other.
Three P’s to Go Forward
1. Prevention-Providing services to prevent Veterans and their families from experiencing the first night of homelessness
2. Expanding Partnerships-Building on the successful strategy that has made it possible to reduce Veteran homelessness
3. Perseverance-Staying the course along with our community partners until the last homeless Veteran is off the street.
For more information on Veteran Serviceswww.va.gov
Link to services provided by the VA Homeless programs
http://www.va.gov/HOMELESS
Clay M. King, LICSW, FACHEChief, Social Work ServiceVA San Diego, CA 92161858-552-7548clay.king@va.gov