See video below highlighting our work with homeless Veterans
LEAVING NO SOLDIER BEHIND…
More than 150,000 Veterans are homeless on any given night in the U.S. Nearly twice as many experience homelessness at some point during the year. Veterans with families are a growing segment of the homeless population - increasing 5% a year for the past 3 years. The number of homeless Vietnam-era Veterans is now greater than the number of service men and women that died during that war. 1 in 3 men living on the streets is a Veteran. In Chicago, approximately 1000 Veterans are homeless on any given night. Over 25% of soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are showing acute symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – a significant factor in the high rate of homelessness for Veterans.
Approximately 90% of homeless Veterans were honorably discharged from military service and more than 1/3 of them specifically served in a combat zone during their military service. Right now, the number of homeless Vietnam era veterans is greater than the number of service persons who died during that war. Already, veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are appearing in the homeless population.
In 2008 alone, we helped over 250 Veterans find real solutions to life’s challenges and created stability in a previously chaotic life.
Volunteers of America of Illinois brings real solutions to our Nation’s Veterans
ADVOCACY
VOA provided critical support to the Homes for Heroes Act of 2007 which passed Congress with a remarkable 412-9 vote. This act authorizes 20,000 rental assistance vouchers for Veterans annually.
SERVICE AND SUPPORT
We provide services to more than 250 Veterans each year through a comprehensive program specifically designed to move Veterans from homelessness to long-term stability and self-sufficiency. The program meets Veterans wherever they are in the healing process and provides the long-term, hands-on support they need to lift themselves up and reach their full potential.
HOUSING
We are building an 80-unit permanent, support housing program for homeless Veterans that will include a full continuum of on-site services and support for homeless Veterans and their families. We anticipate breaking ground in Fall/Winter 2009 on Hope Manor, located on the west side of Chicago where, according to data from the Department of Veterans Affairs, there is a high concentration of homeless veterans in need of housing and supportive services.
The project will be located at the corner of Madison and St. Louis in East Garfield Park and is in the 28th Aldermanic Ward. The address is 3455 – 3467 West Madison. The city-owned parcel, which is currently vacant, is 19,100 square feet. The finished project will be a 48,000 square foot, 4 –story building with on-site parking for up to 17 vehicles.
For more information please contact Carlton Evans at 312-564-2302 or cevans@voail.org