Total percentage decline between 2005 (15,420) and 2009 (6,540): 58%*Los Angeles Housing Service Authority (2007), Figure 2, page 5.** Los Angeles Housing Service Authority (2009), Table 3, p.2

Combating Veteran Homelessness

It will take all of us

Homeless Veterans ”…we will provide new help for

homeless Veterans because those heroes have a home—it’s the country they served, the United States of America. And until we reach a day when not a single Veteran sleeps on our nation's streets, our work remains unfinished.”

                                                            - President Barack Obama,

March 16, 2009

General Shinseki on Homeless Veterans

“You see, to get to zero, we have to attack the entire cycle of downward spirals that end in homelessness — the last step in the loss of hope. We can't solve it, at the state or national levels, unless we attack jobs and education, health care and substance abuse, depression and suicides and housing.” (2009)

“When I arrived in VA I began teaching myself to say ‘Veterans lead the Nation in homelessness, depression, substance abuse, and suicides. And they rank right up there in joblessness as well.” it was a punch in the gut for me and I repeated that line until it sunk in.” (2010)“Resources alone won’t end Veteran homelessness—people will. Determined, dedicated risk-takers who know the causes; who know what may work and what definitely won’t; and, who know how to deliver a mission that’s complex, complicated, rife with bureaucracy, and historically long on promises and short on delivery.” (2010)

Homeless Veterans*

75,609 Homeless Veterans in the U.S.

25.9% of all homeless Veterans reside in CA.

14.9 % of all homeless reside in California

* Data from the Veterans Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (2009)

Site

Estimate of Homeless

Veterans in Service Area

FY 2009

Estimate of Homeless

Veterans in Service Area

FY 2011

Los Angeles/Long Beach 8,197*Loma Linda 1,588San Diego 1,800 1649VISN 22 Total 11,585

*It is estimated there are 8,197 homeless Veterans total in the service area shared by VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System and VA Long Beach Medical Center

Homeless Veterans in Southern California

Who are California Homeless Veterans?

Fiscal Year 2010

Northern California (V21)

Southern California (V22)

VA San Diego

# of New homeless seen

2,125 4,226 1462

Age 52 50.9 50.2Vietnam Era

39% 33.7% 33%

Post Vietnam

40% 40% 29%

Persian Gulf

19.3% 21.8% 23%

OEF/OIF 5.1% 7.1% 13%

Homeless Veterans Health Issues

Medical Problems-47% Alcohol- 52.2% Drugs-50.7% Substance Use- 74% Serious Psychiatric-57% 50% homeless more than 2 years

VASDHS Homeless Program

OUTREACH Transitional Housing

Grant and Per Diem Program-508 beds VA Supportive Housing- 590 units Recuperative Beds- 17 Veteran Treatment Court-VJO VA Homeless Prevention VA Domiciliary- opening 2012

California has 15.6% of the nation’s VASH Vouchers

VISN #21 VISN #22 California0

500100015002000250030003500400045005000

16603450

4680

VASH Vouchers

California has 24.4% of all Grant Per Diem Beds in the Country

VISN #21 VISN #22 California0

500100015002000250030003500

929

2000

2929

GPD Beds

GPD Beds

Oct-10 Nov-11 Dec 10

Jan-11 Feb-11 Mar-110

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

No. Cal (21)So. Cal (22)

Calls to National Homeless Hotline*1-877-4AID VET 877- 424-3838

* 5/10 a 24/7 National Homeless Hotline went live. 591 calls from California have been received since 10/10

Partnering to end homelessness

In working with homeless veterans, we must enter into partnerships with both the public/private sector because no one agency or government agency alone can meet all of their needs. Homeless veterans need treatment, work, housing and a support system offered in a manner that is comprehensive, coordinated and integrated.

Collaboration in Motion

None of us can do this on our own. We need each other.

Three P’s to Go Forward

1. Prevention-Providing services to prevent Veterans and their families from experiencing the first night of homelessness

2. Expanding Partnerships-Building on the successful strategy that has made it possible to reduce Veteran homelessness

3. Perseverance-Staying the course along with our community partners until the last homeless Veteran is off the street.

For more information on Veteran Serviceswww.va.gov

Link to services provided by the VA Homeless programs

http://www.va.gov/HOMELESS

Clay M. King, LICSW, FACHEChief, Social Work ServiceVA San Diego, CA 92161858-552-7548clay.king@va.gov