Homeless Veterans
Homeless Veterans Outreach & Awareness
The tragedy of homelessness among veterans persists, even when the economy is robust and unemployment is low. According to recent studies, unlike their Vietnam counterparts, whose circumstances caused them to fall into homelessness within 13 years, OIF/OEF Veterans find themselves in a downward spiral towards homelessness within 3 years. CalVet recognizes the need for outreach programs and information awareness to returning veterans, especially Reserve and National Guard service members, and is working in conjunction with various State and local agencies throughout California to assist veterans transition from active duty status.
To find out about housing assistance programs available in your area or for a statewide directory of California homeless service organizations, visit our Resources page or call 1-800-952-5626, 1-800-324-5966 (TDD) or 1- 800-221-8998 (Outside California).
Housing & Supportive Services
Through a cooperative partnership, The Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Veterans Affairs Supported Housing (HUD-VASH) Program, provides long-term case management, supportive services and permanent housing support. HUD provides "Housing Choice" Section 8 vouchers designated for HUD-VASH to participating Public Housing Authorities to assist with rent payment. To be eligible for this program, Veterans must be VA Health Care eligible, homeless, and must participate in case management services in order to obtain and sustain permanent independent community housing. For eligibility criteria, please contact your nearest VA Homeless Coordinator or visit the VA HUD-VASH Eligibility page.
Homeless Prevention & Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP)
HPRP is a new program funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. HUD has awarded funds to eligible cities, counties, and states. (HUD does not provide funding directly to individuals.) Individuals needing assistance can access services from an organization in their local community once HPRP funds have been distributed. Please contact your city, county, or state grantee to find out if HPRP funds are available now, whether you are eligible to receive this assistance, and how to access it. For a list of participating agencies, check out the HPRP Grantee Contact Information list.
Supported Housing, provides ongoing case management services to homeless Veterans. Emphasis is placed on helping Veterans find permanent housing and providing clinical support needed to keep veterans in permanent housing. Staff in these programs operate without benefit of the specially dedicated Section 8 housing vouchers available in the HUD-VASH program but are often successful in locating transitional or permanent housing through local means, especially by collaborating with Veterans Service Organizations.
Healthcare for Reentry Veterans (HCRV), is designed to address the community re-entry needs of incarcerated Veterans. HCRV's goals are to prevent homelessness, reduce the impact of medical, psychiatric, and substance abuse problems upon community re-adjustment, and decrease the likelihood of re-incarceration for those leaving prison. For more information on the Health Care for Re-entry Veterans Program please contact Jim McGuire, PhD, Program Manager, Health Care for Re-entry Veterans Program, at 310-478-3711 ext. 41450, email: James.McGuire@va.gov.
Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans
Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans Program, is designed to provide state-of-the-art, high-quality residential rehabilitation and treatment services for Veterans with multiple and severe medical conditions, mental illness, addiction, or psychosocial deficits. For additional information visit the VA Homeless Prevention Programs website.
Grant and Per Diem Program
The Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Program is offered annually (as funding permits) by the VA to fund community-based agencies providing transitional housing or service centers for homeless Veterans. Under the Capital Grant Component VA may fund up to 65% of the project for the construction, acquisition, or renovation of facilities or to purchase van(s) to provide outreach and services to homeless Veterans. Per Diem is available to grantees to help off-set operational expenses. Non-Grant programs may apply for Per Diem under a separate announcement, when published in the Federal Register, announcing the funding for "Per Diem Only." If your organization is interested in applying for funding, please visit the Grant/Per Diem website for further information.
Stand Downs
Stand Down events are typically one- to three-day events organized by Community-Based Veterans Services Organization, Non-Profit Organizations, and Veterans Service Offices with cooperation from a variety of state, federal, and private agencies. Vital services, such as: food, shelter, clothing, health screenings, benefits counseling, and referrals to a variety of other necessary services such as housing, employment, and substance abuse treatment, are provided. In addition, access to Homeless Courts where Veterans are able to resolve minor violations and warrants, are also available. These critical services are often the catalyst that enables homeless veterans to reenter mainstream society.
Annually, CalVet allocates discretionary funds in support of State-wide Stand Down events. Any veteran service provider desiring to conduct a Homeless Veterans Stand Down may be eligible for a grant from the California Department of Veterans Affairs, please contact the Homeless Veterans Coordinator at 877-741-8532 for further information.
Stand Down Grants information:
Homeless Court
Following the first Stand Down in San Diego (1988), veterans stated their greatest need was to resolve outstanding bench warrants. Half of homeless veterans had histories of involvement with criminal justice after discharge from the military. Incarcerated homeless veterans have high levels of health, mental health, and/or substance abuse problems. In 1989, criminal agencies began informal proceedings to include court and other necessary legal services to homeless people in an effort to resolve cases and prevent further involvement in the justice system.
Homeless courts are special court sessions held in local shelters or other community sites designed for homeless citizens to resolve outstanding misdemeanor warrants. Homeless defendants sometimes fail to appear in traditional courts, not because of disregard for the court system, but due to the status of their condition. Many homeless people are reluctant to attend court given the uncertainty of court proceedings and the threat of custody. Unresolved legal issues can ultimately preclude homeless people from accessing desperately needed services such as employment, housing, public assistance and treatment programs.
The American Bar Association (ABA) Commission on Homelessness and Poverty offers technical support. For information, please contact Amy Horton-Newell at the ABA Washington Office at (202) 662-1693 or via e-mail at homeless@abanet.org. The ABA has also developed approved policies related to homeless courts, including basic principals for homeless court programs, which could be found at The American Bar Association: Commission on Homeless and Poverty website.
Homeless Courts are presently operating in 16 Counties throughout California. .
Veteran Treatment Courts
Veteran Treatment Courts follow the Drug Treatment model, in that it is a collaborative justice court. The court offers alternatives to case proceedings that address underlying problems which contribute to criminal activity or other court involvement. Veteran Treatment Courts lead to the placement of as many mentally ill offenders who are veterans of the U.S. military, including those with PTSD, TBI and MST, substance abuse, or any mental health problem, in VA counseling and treatment programs. In many cases, counseling is required and incorporated into the treatment programs that are designed to treat the underlying psychological disorders. Participating veterans are ordered to complete the recommended treatment plan and comply with any other terms and conditions of probation imposed by the court.
The best argument for veterans courts, advocates said is that they seem to work: 70 percent of defendants finish the programs and 75 percent are not rearrested for at least two years after, according to the National Association of Drug Court Professionals.
Moreover, these courts have resulted in programs that have reduced recidivism, lowered crime and rebuilt lives among the courts' participants.
There are a few differences that exist among various states and within the veterans court community. For example, some feel that all vets should be accepted, including those who never deployed to a war zone. Others believe the courts should admit only combat veterans with mental health issues associated with their wartime experiences. Some courts don't hear cases where veterans have been charged with violent crimes, others do, with stipulations.
Do Keep In Mind:
- Even if you don't have a lawyer yet or don't have all the paperwork, it is critical to attend all hearings on time. The court's first impression is important.
- You may have to request a continuance in order to finalize your legal representation and review your situation with Veterans Court - don't rush into anything or plead guilty to anything just to get into a particular program or court.
- Inform your Public Defender or Attorney that you are a veteran. They will, in turn, present the information to the judge and the judge will make the decision to transfer your case to a veteran court.
- The VTC continually promotes education and job placement, and access to services for medical; mental health; dental; homelessness; unemployment; family counseling; employment; etc. are offered/provided.
- Remember, Veteran Treatment Courts are very involved and often times, the treatment plan can be very intense. You will have regular contact with the Judge, Public Defender/Attorney, VA Case Managers, Mentors, etc. Rules are based on your performance, which are directly communicated to the Judge, who rewards progress or penalizes noncompliance.
Currently, ten counties (Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Santa Clara, San Diego, San Joaquin, Sonoma, Tulare, and Ventura) have veteran court programs, which create a dedicated calendar to address legal issues. Kern and Sonoma counties have an alternative veteran treatment court, and six additional counties have expressed interest or are currently in the process of developing a veteran treatment court.