Politics & Government
VA Medical Center Offers Services Oct. 29 to Fight Vet Homelessness
The center, with the help of more than 40 agencies, will provide legal assistance, Social Security information, house and employment assistance and free haircuts, among other things.
As part of a national drive to end veteran homelessness by 2015, the will hold a "Stand Down" for veterans and their families on Oct. 29 with more than 40 community and government agencies providing legal assistance, Social Security benefits information, housing and employment assistance, help with driver’s and vehicle licenses and free haircuts.
Will Gunn, general counsel for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, will speak at the Stand Down to be held from 7:30am to 3:30pm at the medical enter, 1670 Clairmont Rd.
"It's one location providing much-needed services for our homeless veterans," said James Clark, medical center director. "Our goal is to get them into housing. We want them to use the resources here to help themselves."
VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki has established a priority goal of eliminating homelessness among veterans by 2015. The VA chose Atlanta as one of 28 locations to spearhead this mission. On a single night in January 2009, more than 75,000 veterans were homeless across the nation, and in that year about 149,000 veterans spent at least one night in an emergency shelter or transitional housing program, according to the VA.
In addition to providing housing, employment and healthcare services to veterans who are homeless, VA’s campaign aims to prevent homelessness by connecting veterans and their families with support before they lose their housing. Veterans can gain access to services for all of these issues by contacting the VA National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-4AID-VET, staffed by trained counselors 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
This year, VA expects to spend $3.4 billion to provide health care to homeless veterans and $800 million on specialized homeless programs. Recently, VA has transformed its efforts in the fight against homelessness. It is changing from a program focused on temporary, shelter-based services, to prevention, employment, permanent housing and help to families and Veterans at risk of becoming homeless.
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