Equal Justice Works: Veteran Homelessness Jesse K. Vazzano, LICSW National Director HUD-VA Supportive Housing October 2014

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION VHA Health Care Networks 1

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION VA Homeless Programs Initiative to end Veteran Homelessness Health Care for Homeless Veterans – Contract Residential Services – Safe Haven – Outreach Grant and Per Diem Transitional Housing (approx. 15,500 beds) Housing and Urban Development- VA Supportive Housing Supportive Services for Veterans Families – Rapid Re-Housing – Homelessness Prevention Veteran Justice Programs – Health Care for Reentry Veterans – Veterans Justice Outreach Community Employment 2

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Snapshot of Veteran Homelessness % Reduction in Veteran homelessness since 2010

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Joint effort between HUD and VA to move Veterans and their families out of homelessness into permanent supportive housing Housing Choice Voucher Program combined with clinical and supportive services Largest permanent supportive housing program in the country – 66,411 vouchers allocated – Additional 10,000 requested in FY 2015 Expanded eligibility – Homeless – Eligible for VHA care – Within income limits – Not a lifetime registered sex offender Focus on housing the chronically homeless and highly vulnerable 4

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION HUD-VASH: Principles of Housing First Housing as a basic human right Respect, warmth, and compassion for all clients Commitment to working with clients for as long as they need Scattered-site housing; independent apartments Separation of housing and services Consumer choice and self-determination Recovery orientation Harm reduction 5

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Rapid rehousing and prevention of homelessness Aim of supportive services is to help Veteran families quickly regain stability in permanent housing Range of supportive services to resolve immediate crisis and promote housing stability – Legal assistance – Landlord mediation – Financial assistance – Transportation assistance – Child care Non-financial and financial services Short-term intervention with case management Supports principles of Housing First 6

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION SSVF: Basic Concepts Most important focus is housing stability Goal is to provide sufficient resources to stabilize housing or end homelessness Serves entire household Intervention is short-term Serves are offered on a “but for” basis. Must be able to define for screening Intensity and scope of services must match identified needs Services integrated with community resources 7

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Role of Supportive Services to End Homelessness Philosophy into practice to support a client-centered approach Integration into the community Social inclusion Physical and emotional comfort Moving from a house to a home Harm reduction Motivational interviewing 8

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Partnerships Federal – VA (VHA, VBA, NCA) – HUD – Health and Human Services (SAMHSA) – US Interagency Council on Homelessness – National Alliance to End Homelessness State – Interagency Council on Homelessness – Department of Mental Health and Hygiene – Department of Housing – Department of Labor Local – City Government – Public Housing Authorities – Non-Profit – Veteran Service Organizations Collaborate to utilize resources efficiently and effectively Identify needs and how they can be addressed through collaboration Shared institutional knowledge Reduced silo effect Bring together different subject matter experts to problem solve – Clinicians – Developers 9

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Contact Information Jesse K. Vazzano, LICSW National Director, HUD-VA Supportive Housing VHA Homeless Programs White River Junction VAMC 215 North Main Street Bldg T61, Room 103 White River Junction, VT x5059 Office Mobile Fax 10