VA Grant to Pay for Homeless Veterans Housing in St. Pete

On average there will be an additional 25 more beds available for homeless veterans in Pinellas County thanks to a new, VA grant awarded to the Catholic Charities Diocese of St. Petersburg.

The award of $1,064,886 to the Catholic Charities Diocese of St. Petersburg, Inc. is one of 38 projects around the country that will provide temporary housing to formerly homeless Veterans with the goal that they will retain the residence as their own.

“As we drive toward our goal to end homelessness among Veterans in 2015, VA continues to find innovative ways to permanently house Veterans who were formerly homeless,” Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki stated in a press release. “Under President Obama’s leadership, we have made incredible strides in creating programs to aid these brave men and women who have served our Nation so well.”

The grant is part of a special program that focuses on Veterans who traditionally have had to  move out of provided housing when they completed substance abuse counseling, job training or mental health services.

The “Transition in Place” model closes the gaps in available housing for the nation’s most vulnerable homeless Veterans with substance use and mental health problems according to the release.

“Our focus is creating a team of community support — pairing a variety of services, such as mental health support, employment assistance and job training — with the essential component of housing,” Lisa Pape, national director of homeless programs for the VA’s health care system, in the release. She oversees the program.

If you know a homeless Veteran or one at risk, refer them to the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans, 1-877-4AID-VET.