Developing Permanent Supportive Housing for Homeless Veterans

"The Veterans Administration 2007 CHALENG Report estimates that nearly 154,000 veterans are homeless on any given night, and more than half a million experience homelessness over the course of a year. ...

There is an entire continuum of housing options available depending on the needs of the clients. Short term housing options such as emergency shelter or transitional housing may be very appropriate for what they were intended to serve, short term emergency housing needs. However for those with the most complex set of service needs and significant challenges in establishing housing stability, permanent supportive housing may be the most appropriate housing intervention. Supportive housing works well for individuals and families who are not only homeless, but who also have very low incomes and serious, persistent issues that may include substance use, mental illness, and HIV/AIDS. ..."

Thus begins the Guidebook for Developing Permanent Supportive Housing for Homeless Veterans, a joint effort of our federal government and the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans.

This 94-page guide aims to help community-based homeless veteran service providers explore the various supportive housing development options available for homeless veterans:

"Readers will be given the tools needed to initiate the
development process, identify available capital, operating and services funding for supportive housing, and assess their organization’s capacity to develop and/or operate supportive housing."

Lawyers experienced in steering business projects to success, but frustrated at finding appropriate pro bono opportunities, should consider assisting projects that develop solutions for homelessness among veterans; this guide may be a good introduction. Read it at http://www.nchv.org/docs/CSHVeteransDevelopmentGuidebook2008FINAL.pdf

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Regional Trainings

From another press release:

"Since 2004, The Corporation for Supportive Housing has subcontracted with the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) to provide targeted technical assistance around the topic of permanent supportive housing for homeless veterans to its member base of homeless service providers. Based on recent events including the allocation of 10,000 HUD-VASH vouchers in 2008 there is an increased momentum around the development and operation of permanent supportive housing for homeless veterans.

To assist in building the capacity of homeless veteran housing and service providers, CSH will be providing 2-day trainings on a regional basis. The first day will consist of a basic overview of how to develop process in permanent supportive housing, moving from providing transitional to permanent housing, property management and service coordination. The second day will consist of a morning session dedicated to the overview of supportive housing budgets and an afternoon session focused on operating budgets and effective service strategies in supportive housing.

The dates and locations for the trainings are as follows:

• Western Region
• Eastern Region – Newark , NJ – February 18-19, 2009
• Central Region – Chicago , IL – March 10-11, 2009

Registration: FREE

How to Register: To apply for the Los Angeles training click here

For all questions regarding these trainings, please contact Melanie Lilliston with the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans at nchv5@nchv.org or by phone at 202-546-1969."