Take the First Step

Does even contemplating what your housing options are feel like a whirlwind, or stepping off a cliff? Maybe it’s best to look at it as a puzzle instead, or a path. You have to put your foot on the path and take the first step, in order to see the path unfold before you — and see how the puzzle pieces fit together. With the advice of women veterans who understand homelessness, we want to encourage you to take that first step. Here are some suggestions about what that might be.

From the National Veterans Foundation (NVF.org), resources specifically about women veterans at risk for homelessness:

• HUD-VASH Program – The HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program combines Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rental assistance for homeless Veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).  VA provides these services for participating Veterans at VA medical centers (VAMCs) and community-based outreach clinics.
• SSVF – Under the SSVF program, VA awards grants to private non-profit organizations and consumer cooperatives who can provide supportive services to very low-income Veteran families living in or transitioning to permanent housing. Grantees provide eligible Veteran families with outreach, case management, and assistance in obtaining VA and other benefits, which may include:
  • Health care services
  • Daily living services
  • Personal financial planning services
  • Transportation services
  • Fiduciary and payee services
  • Legal services
  • Child care services
  • Housing counseling services.
• In addition, grantees may also provide time-limited payments to third parties (e.g., landlords, utility companies, moving companies, and licensed child care providers) if these payments help Veteran families stay in or acquire permanent housing on a sustainable basis.   List of SSVF Providers by State (Excel Doc)
• Homeless Veteran Stand-Downs – Stand-Downs are typically one- to three-day events providing supplies and services such as food, shelter, clothing, health screenings and VA Social Security benefits counseling to homeless Veterans. Veterans can also receive referrals to other assistance such as health care, housing solutions, employment, substance use treatment and mental health counseling. Stand Downs are collaborative events, coordinated between local VA Medical Centers, other government agencies and community-based homeless service providers.
• PATH (California) – PATH (People Assisting the Homeless) provides the support homeless veterans need to successfully transition from living on the street to thriving in homes of their own. High-quality supportive services are critical to ensuring the people we serve are able to not only move into permanent homes, but stay in those homes long-term.
• National Coalition for Homeless Veterans – The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) is the resource and technical assistance center for a national network of community-based service providers and local, state and federal agencies that provide emergency and supportive housing, food, health services, job training and placement assistance, legal aid and case management support for hundreds of thousands of homeless veterans each year.