U.S. Sens. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff announced on Tuesday more than $31 million in Federal funding through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) Supportive Services for Veteran Families program. The funds will be distributed to nonprofits across the state that help veterans find housing and prevent homelessness.
“Our national honor requires that we lift up and support all who have sacrificed in America’s defense. That’s why Senator Warnock and I continue working to end veteran homelessness in Georgia and nationwide,” said Ossoff.
The program from the VA helps to provide case management and supportive services to prevent the imminent loss of a veteran’s home or identify new, more suitable housing situation for the individual or their family. They also can quickly re-house veterans who are already homeless and might remain so without assistance.
“Our servicemembers and veterans are the best among us, and as a champion for all Georgians in the U.S. Senate, I will continue working to ensure they receive the help they are owed for their service to our nation,” said Warnock.
Six organizations across Georgia are receiving the funding. The biggest slice of the funding is $15.6 million going to Changing Homelessness, Inc., serving Savannah/Chatham County, down to northern Florida. Since 2012, Changing Homelessness has served more than 4,000 veterans and their families across the 17 counties they work in. They help with housing searches, budgeting, counseling and even in some cases temporary financial assistance.
Travelers Aid of metro Atlanta is receiving more than $6 million, serving Fulton, Clarke, Cobb and DeKalb counties, and some surrounding areas. The nonprofit was founded in the early 1900s, dedicated to ending homeless since the beginning when it was the Atlanta Women’s Missionary Association for a short time before taking the Traveler’s name. During World War II, Traveler’s Aid supported veterans, helping to create the USO. They have worked with nearly 7,000 people, serving more than 200,000 meals and 240,000 pounds of food distributed. Nearly 1,500 have found permanent housing.
The other awardees are based in Chattanooga, Columbus, Augusta and another in Atlanta. Some 1.5 million veterans are considered at-risk of homelessness. According to the VA, just over 40,000 are experiencing homelessness, meaning living on the street or shelter, a temporary safe haven or a place unfit to reside in. With about 16 million veterans in the U.S., the statistics are particularly grim. Veterans are 50 percent more likely than other Americans to become homeless, with many finding a lack of support or social isolation after their discharge. With low marriage rates and higher than average divorce rates, 1 in 5 veterans live alone. Almost half a million veterans are “rent-burdened,” meaning they pay more than 50 percent of their income on rent. Half of those are below the poverty line and 43 percent of them are on food stamps.
To learn more and find resources from the VA and nonprofit groups:
https://www.research.va.gov/topics/homelessness.cfm
