Volunteers of America Carolinas Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)

WHOSE IN THE ROOM? SSVF Providers? Landlords ? Property Managers? Other providers and agencies? Builders? Anyone who see the vision of ending homelessness for Veterans?

What is Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)? Rapid rehousing and prevention of homelessness Obtaining or Maintaining Housing Stability Financial and Non- Financial services (Case Management) Range of supportive services that resolve immediate crisis Serves entire household Services are offered on a “but for” basis.  Services integrated/collaborated with other community resources

SSVF Basic Eligibility Discharge anything other than dishonorable A single person or family in which head of household, or the spouse of the head of household is a Veteran Very Low income <50% area median Currently residing in permanent housing in danger of becoming homeless Currently homeless Timing out of a transitional housing program

Housing First Approach

Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Services Homelessness Prevention (Category 1) Rapid Re-Housing (Categories 2 & 3)

Coverage Areas Volunteers of America Carolinas covers 30 Counties across North Carolina.

Serviced Counties Alamance, Brunswick, Caswell, Chatham, Cumberland, Durham, Franklin, Granville, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Pender, Person, Orange, Randolph, Rockingham, Wake, Bertie, Edgecombe, Martin, Nash, Northampton, Halifax, Hertford, Pitt, Vance, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Wilson

Why the program works & Best Practices Housing First! Housing First! Housing First! $$$$ Funding Utilizes best practices: harm reduction, motivational interviewing, skills teaching, resource development Develop and cultivate landlord relationships & housing options Trained staff on other community-based and mainstream resources to ensure needs are met post- SSVF Staff training and supervision is Key!

Challenges Lack of affordable housing units available Veteran barriers Evictions Criminal History Rental History Income Household size (Not enough affordable 1 bedrooms) Funding limitations Veterans that do not meet the SSVF eligibility Areas not covered by SSVF

Volunteers of America Carolinas (SSVF Program) Fact or Fiction Activity

FACT or FICTION VOAC SSVF services Non- Veteran Individuals and Families ? All Veterans have the same length of stay and services while in the enrolled in the program? SSVF can assist with mortgages? Veterans receive Case Management, Budgeting and Housing Stability planning while enrolled in the program? If funding is not available Veterans who meet the criteria and enrolled are still qualified for services ?

FACT or FICTION VOAC SSVF has petty cash to assist with emergencies? VOAC SSVF has onsite housing units or buildings that can house Veterans? VOAC SSVF can assist with hotel stays? VOAC SSVF has a money tree with unlimited funds? Veterans can self refer to the program? VOAC SSVF can pay rental arrears for a previous unit no lived in at the time of request?

FACT or FICTION DD214 is required in order to provide services? Veteran’s choice is the standard for all housing options? VOAC SSVF is located at the Veterans Administration Medical Center? Veterans must have income to be eligible for services? Veterans enrolled must meet with there Case Manager while in the program initially weekly and then at minimum monthly ?

FACT or FICTION Increasing income does not automatically disqualify Veterans from the program? VOAC SSVF can provide auto repairs? Veterans are granted extensions after program maximum ? VOAC SSVF can assist currently incarcerated or Hospitalized Veterans once we have a discharge date?

FACT or FICTION Veterans can self refer? VOAC SSVF contacts a referred Veteran household within 42 hours to confirm receipt and set up phone screen? Veterans who do not meet the guidelines for enrollment receive a warm hand off to another referral source to explore? VOAC SSVF can provide referrals to additional resources that we don’t cover? Enrolled Veterans are connected to employment services or additional income outlets (SSI, Pension, etc) ?

What's needed to continue?

Questions?