The Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center in Wichita has reported exceeding its goal in a program to provide housing for veterans experiencing homelessness.
The Dole VA Center has housed 158 Veterans experiencing homelessness in Kansas, exceeding the goal of 136 set for this fiscal year. A total of 97.5% of these Veterans have not returned to homelessness, and 122 unsheltered Veterans have been engaged to ensure they have access to the housing and other wraparound services they need. Center officials said when homeless encampments are closed, engagement is critical to ensure Veterans are aware of local resources and support.
Nationally, VA housed 43,116 Veterans experiencing homelessness, surpassing its goal a month early in housing 41,000 Veterans during fiscal year 2014. A total of 96.3% of those Veterans housed have not returned to homelessness, and 38,476 unsheltered Veterans have been engaged nationally.
- This week, the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness released the federal government’s first ever framework for homelessness prevention and launched a new series spotlighting local and federal efforts to prevent homelessness.
- Locally, Dole VA has applied for Wichita to be highlighted as a community that has effectively ended Veteran homelessness.
- Last month, VA awarded more than $800 million in grants via its Supportive Services for Veteran Families and Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem programs.
- Locally, both Catholic Charities and The Salvation Army were awarded a total of $6.2 million in grants.
- In July, VA awarded over $26 million in grants to support legal services for Veterans facing homelessness.
- Kansas Legal Services received a grant and is now providing support to local homeless Veterans.
- Last month, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and VA announced policy changes that will help more Veterans receive housing assistance under the HUD-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program.
- These policy changes enabled the City of Wichita to bring an additional 60 HUD-VASH vouchers to house local Veterans.
