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TESTIMONY OF

MARCH 9, 2000

Messrs. Chairmen and Members of the Subcommittees:

On behalf of the more than one million members of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and its Auxiliary, I am delighted to provide you with testimony on DAV’s efforts to address the needs of homeless veterans.

As an organization committed to building better lives for America’s disabled veterans and their families, one of the DAV’s top priorities is to help America’s homeless veterans break the cycle of poverty and move from the streets to self-sufficiency.

Our goal is to help veterans living in places not ordinarily meant for human habitation or in emergency shelters connect with social services that can help them get their lives back on course.

In a recently released report, designed and funded by 12 federal agencies—"Findings of the National Survey of Homeless Assistance Providers and Clients"—it was reported that:

• almost 25 percent of homeless people are veterans; a third of the male homeless are veterans
  
• almost all homeless veterans are males—two percent are females
  
• 57 percent have used VA health care services
  
• almost half of the homeless veterans served during the Vietnam era
  
• 33 percent of the male veterans served in a war zone, and 28 percent were exposed to combat

The report went on to state that, when homeless people get housing assistance and other needed services, about 76 percent of those living along with their families and 60 percent of those living alone improve their living situation. Such services include health care, substance abuse treatment, mental health services, education, and job training.

Reducing homelessness among veterans requires greater government commitment and more federal resources. Veterans who are homeless deserve a better deal than what they are receiving from our government—in many cases, it is nothing more than lip service.

Messrs. Chairmen, I can tell you that DAV is making a difference in the lives of many homeless veterans across this nation.

The issue of homelessness is a serious, long-term matter of concern for the DAV and will require a long-term commitment. Supported by our Charitable Service and Colorado Trusts, DAV’s Homeless Veterans Initiative enables our network of volunteers to provide food and shelter, and medical, vision and dental aid to homeless veterans.

The VA estimates 275,000 veterans are homeless on any given night, and 500,000 experience homelessness annually. The problem is not limited to big cities where the issue is most obvious; many homeless veterans are subsisting in rural areas or wandering in wilderness areas. The experience of DAV’s service programs tells us that mental illness rooted in or worsened by military service is a key factor.

The DAV Homeless Veterans Initiative is our program to assist those veterans who find themselves living on the streets. Our motto—"We Don’t Leave our Wounded Behind"—is more than a clever slogan, it is a principle, a rule, and a promise we need to keep—all of us, including our government.

Distressed by this shocking situation, the DAV’s Homeless Veterans Initiative continues its ongoing activities on behalf of homeless veterans and their families. In many instances, grants are permitting the expansion of services local VA medical centers offer homeless veterans who suffer mental illness and substance abuse.

Serving veterans in Massachusetts and the New England region, the DAV Homeless Veterans Initiative supports an innovative, specialized transitional housing program that serves homeless veterans who are diagnosed with either HIV/AIDS or other terminal illnesses and are no longer able to care for themselves. The Veterans Hospice Homestead, financially supported through the DAV Homeless Veterans Initiative, is the only "veteran-specific" program in the country to help these veterans. The DAV Homeless Veterans Initiative is providing funding to help give a comprehensive mix of supportive services to either assist the terminally ill veteran in finding appropriate housing and services or to assist the veteran in his or her final transition to death. This includes specialized counseling, medical services, mental health counseling, food service support, and supportive service planning.

Additionally, our Homeless Veterans Initiative is helping fund a low-cost, subsidized transitional housing project for homeless veterans in DePere, Wisconsin, which has helped return veterans to productive lives. The housing facility in DePere, the Armitage, named in honor of a young Marine killed in Vietnam, was purchased to serve as both a transitional housing facility and an information and assistance center for homeless and at-risk veterans.

With the help of local veterans’ groups and the business community, the Armitage provides single-room occupancy housing with communal meals at a cost that allows residents to transition into their own permanent housing and employment. Veterans who are unemployed or do not have the financial means are not charged.

It is estimated that there are as many as 2,000 homeless and at-risk veterans in northeastern Wisconsin. Homeless veterans represent about 42 percent of the individuals housed in local shelters.

Last year, Ford Motor Company donated six 1999 Windstar vans to our Homeless Veterans Initiative programs operating in Colorado, Connecticut, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin. DAV is very proud to have Ford as part of our Homeless Veterans Initiative’s efforts to bring food, clothing, meals, and shelter to veterans.

In New York, the Syracuse VA Medical Center was one of 43 sites selected by the VA in 1987 to implement a program for homeless veterans under Public Law 100-6. This law mandated providing outreach, physical and mental health evaluation, referral, case management follow-up, and contracted care and shelter at a residential facility for up to six months. The program staff, however, soon realized that after six months, a portion of these veterans would have to return to the streets if appropriate interim shelter was not available.

In an attempt to confront this issue, Mr. Raymond Detor, a service-connected disabled World War II veteran and life member of DAV began working with Mr. Timothy Kohlbecker, VA Homeless Program Coordinator in November 1991. A public plea was issued and it was answered by Onandaga County Executive Nicholas Pirro, who offered the use of county-owned property for $1.00 per year.

A four-bedroom structure badly in need of renovations was located, and $35,000 was needed to start the program. A massive fund-raising effort was begun. Ray Detor and members of DAV Chapter 167 applied for and received a grant from the DAV national organization. Other funds from the DAV Department of New York were received, as well as from many local DAV chapters and from other veterans service organizations. Following these efforts, the county legislature approved a lease, and the renovations began in the summer of 1992.

The renovations were done with the assistance of numerous volunteers, some of whom were homeless veterans themselves. These renovations included electrical and plumbing repairs and modifications, painting, cleaning, and landscaping. Through the collective efforts of the DAV and many other volunteers, including VA employees, Boy Scouts, and the county, the first group of homeless veterans moved into the home in October 1992. Many local businesses provided supplies, furnishings, and tools needed to make this home a reality. A grand opening ceremony took place in November 1992.

The home, known as "Detor House," is managed by the DAV and the VA Medical Center. The Medical Center is responsible for screening, selecting, and counseling residents.

Since its inception, the Detor House has assisted 23 veterans transition from homelessness to again become productive members of society. Many of the residents are Vietnam-era veterans, divorced or separated, with periods of homelessness ranging from one month to two years. Most suffer from adjustment problems, mental health problems, substance abuse, lack of family support, and periods of unemployment.

The majority of residents have obtained full- or part-time employment in community jobs or at the VA Medical Center. Those with a history of substance abuse have remained compliant with their recovery programs. They all share in household responsibilities and have demonstrated the ability to live cooperatively with their peers at the house. The VA staff and the DAV Housing Coordinator evaluate each veteran’s status regularly. Monthly meetings are held at the house and are attended by both residents and staff. These meetings provide an opportunity to discuss personal issues and group living concerns.

The Detor House is an innovative strategy, which demonstrates that private sector organizations such as the DAV can create special cooperative partnerships helping homeless veterans regain self sufficiency and success in society. We have shown that a community can address the needs of homeless veterans through efforts in both the public and private sectors. The Detor House has been a major step toward accomplishing that goal in the Syracuse area.

We have obtained an additional home on the grounds adjacent to Detor House. We hope to raise the necessary funds to begin renovation of this new home to hopefully expand upon the success of the Detor House and provide transitional assistance to many more veterans.

The VA’s Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem program promotes the development, acquisition, and renovation of new facilities for homeless veterans by encouraging private sector groups and service organizations to apply for funding. Twice, funding for this additional home was requested through the VA Homeless Providers Grant and both times refused. The first refusal was due to a technicality. After completing the 45-page application, Marvin Triggs, the adjutant of DAV Chapter 8, was advised that the application was denied because he was a VA employee and this was a conflict of interest. Mr. Triggs, a staunch advocate for veterans in Syracuse, is a janitor at the VA Medical Center. How can this be construed as a conflict of interest? It is hoped that this process can somehow become more veteran friendly by making the application process easier for those dedicated individuals who devote their time and effort to assisting the needs of homeless veterans.

As a nation, we must remain steadfast in our efforts to fulfill our promise to veterans by ensuring that no veteran who honorably served his or her country is ever without adequate living quarters. The DAV will remain true to our commitment to ensure that we make every effort to assist our fellow veterans and their families in obtaining appropriate assistance for their needs, including obtaining adequate housing.

Messrs. Chairmen, the DAV is so concerned by the problem of combating homelessness in our veterans’ population that we continue to encourage our departments and chapters to get involved on the local level. We encourage groups to apply for grants from our Charitable Service Trust and Colorado Trust to continue and expand local services and activities on behalf of homeless veterans and their families.

Since 1989, DAV’s Charitable Service Trust grants and allocations for homeless projects total $814,764.00.

There is no question that with the proper assistance—including health care, substance abuse treatment, mental health services, education, and job training—homeless veterans can improve their situations and begin the transition to once again become productive and a part of mainstream America; the very ideals they served and fought to preserve for all Americans.

Messrs. Chairmen, this concludes my prepared statement. We appreciate the Subcommittees’ interest in resolving this national problem of homelessness among veterans and the opportunity to discuss Detor House. I am available to answer any questions that you or other members of the Subcommittees may have.

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