VFP's Mark Foreman interviewed on popular podcast

Homeless Veterans Initiative Co-Founder Mark Foreman visits the Combat PTSD Exposed podcast hosted by Mike Orban. He discusses the VA logjams and solutions to aiding homeless veterans and those afflicted with PTSD.

Read More and Hear excerpt from the show

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2009 Point in Time Survey

Taken every two years in Milwaukee by the Milwaukee Continuum of Care, this survey is a snapshot of data of the homeless in Milwaukee. Participation from 41 organizations and 70 volunteer interviewers from emergency shelters, transitional housing programs, meal programs, homeless service providers, street outreach and churches make it possible. The 2009 Point in Time Survey counted a total of 1,660 adults and children who were homeless on the
night of January 28, 2009, including 965 adults and 349 children counted directly by the Point in Time and an additional 346 adults and children reported by the Rescue Mission. Of the 965 adults counted by the Point in Time, 919 were directly interviewed by Point in Time volunteers. This report presents
the results of these interviews. FULL REPORT and a summary of homeless veterans in Milwaukee here: READ MORE

Chapter 102 Homeless Veteran Initiative FAQ

Our Mission: To help end homelessness among current and future Milwaukee area veterans by enabling them to secure their rights and benefits, and to obtain access to housing, education, counseling, health care and employment opportunities.

• 1. How many homeless are there?
  2. How many of those are veterans?
  3. Doesn’t the Department of Veterans Affairs take care of Homeless Veterans?
  4. About VFP's Housing First program in Milwaukee
  5. What services are missing in order to break the cycle of homelessness?
  6. What are short, medium and long range needs?
  7. What resources are available?
  8. Who is involved now?
  
  
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1. How many homeless are there?

The Urban Institute, in conjunction with the National Survey of Homeless Assistance Providers and Clients, in 1996, published their findings that each year 2.3 million to 3.5 million people experience homelessness in America.
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2. How many of those are veterans?

In that survey it was found that 23% of all homeless persons and 33% of all homeless men are veterans. That would indicate there are between 529,000 and 840,000 veterans who are homeless at some time during the year. In 2006 the Department of Veterans Affairs report estimated 194,000 homeless veterans on any given night. 2007 report estimated 154,000.

1.8% of homeless veterans seen by VA in 2006 were Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. So as the numbers for older veterans are starting to decrease, the numbers for younger veterans will begin to increase.

Milwaukee’s homeless population is estimated at 15.000 – 20,000 from numbers compiled by Healthcare for the Homeless. That would estimate out to between 3,000 – 4,000 homeless veterans.

In addition to that, it is estimated that there are over 6000 veterans living in the Milwaukee area that are either rent burdened (below poverty level and paying over 50% of that in rent) or “stacking” ( multiple non related individuals or multiple families living together in one apartment ). These are at risk veterans who can become homeless with the slightest change in circumstances.
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3. Doesn’t the Department of Veterans Affairs take care of Homeless Veterans?

The VA reaches only an estimated 33% of those in need….leaving many thousand in the Milwaukee area in need of assistance from local agencies and organizations. Locating and connecting these veterans to services that they have earned from their service to this country can relieve local resources for nonveteran needs.
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4. What services are currently available?

There are many Department of Veteran Affairs services and many agencies providing veteran help. The homeless veteran in a majority of cases is unaware of the services or cannot access the services for a variety of reasons.
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5. What services are missing in order to break the cycle of homelessness?

Veterans first need safe and secure housing to stabilize and begin a process of reentry into society. The ability to navigate the sometimes confusing VA system and basic means of transportation to get back and forth from appointments and job searching is vital to personal independence. Livable wage jobs are of importance to the veterans not only in financially supporting themselves and their families but in the rebuilding of their self esteem.
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6. What are short, medium and long range needs?

Short: Immediate shelter, basic necessities, medical services.

Medium: Obtaining I.D., military records, birth certificates. Filing claims for pensions and disabilities. Begin the process of rebuilding personal identity and human relationship along with spiritual connection.

Long: Permanent housing and employment. Achieving the highest level of personal independence possible and becoming a valued member of the community.
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7. What resources are available?

Veterans for Peace has officially begun our pilot program “Housing First” this November. We have opened a duplex that is home to five veterans. Full Housing First article with photos

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8. Who is involved now?

The numbers of homeless, incarcerated and at risk veterans is now set to rise do to the returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. Add to that the extra trauma suffered by women in the military and the lack of employment do to the downturn in the economy and the need for a community based veterans service organization is apparent. It is critical that community groups such as ours reach out to provide the support, resources and opportunities to those in need.

We believe veteran helping veteran along with community involvement is the most effective way of breaking the cycle of homelessness.
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