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VA Marks 20th Anniversary of Service to Homeless Veterans
Secretary Nicholson Announces $24 Million for Homeless Programs
WASHINGTON (February 22, 2007) - On the eve of the 20th anniversary of
its first program targeted specifically at the needs and problems of
homeless veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced
a $24 million spending package -- the largest one-time designation in
its history -- for programs benefiting homeless veterans.
"Over the past two decades, we have worked hard to construct bridges
leading from the darkened alleys of homelessness to the bright avenues
of mainstream society," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim
Nicholson. "This would not be possible without the efforts from
faith-based and community service providers who have partnered with VA
throughout the years."
In events today at Veterans Village in San Diego marking VA's first
homeless program, Nicholson announced the Department was committing $10
million to support about 1,000 new transitional housing beds nationwide,
$12 million for seriously mentally ill veterans, terminally ill veterans
and similarly vulnerable groups, and $2 million for other programs.
Twenty years ago, VA began its national effort to eradicate chronic
homelessness by providing $5 million for a pilot program to support
contract residential care and to create domiciliary care for homeless
veterans.
Today, VA supports more than 15,000 beds in transitional housing
facilities or on VA residential treatment programs. The Department has
become the largest federal provider of direct assistance to the
homeless, including outreach and case management, treatment,
rehabilitation, transitional residential care, therapeutic work and
assistance with permanent housing. VA supports special programs for
the treatment and rehabilitation of those suffering from mental illness
and addictive disorders.
Since 1988, VA has supported more then 1,500 Stand Downs across the
nation. Stand Downs give homeless veterans a temporary refuge where
they can obtain food, shelter, clothing and a range of community and VA
assistance.
"Our goal is to return to communities sober citizens, gainfully
employed, living independently with restored dignity," said Nicholson.
"But the tremendous work done across the nation, as great as it is, is
not enough as long as one veteran is homeless."
VA proposes to spend more then $265 million on specialized homeless
assistance in FY 2007.
VA operates the nation's largest integrated health care system, with 155
hospitals, more than 800 clinics, about 130 nursing homes and 45
domiciliaries, treating about 1 million patients each week.
For more information, visit the VA website at www.va.gov
or contact VA's Homeless Veterans Programs Office
at (202) 273-5764, or e-mail VA at homelessvets@mail.va.gov.
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