Generally, the causes of homelessness can be grouped into three categories: economic hardships, health issues, and lack of affordable housing. Although these issues affect all homeless individuals, veterans face additional challenges in overcoming these obstacles, including: prolonged separation from traditional supports such as family and close friends; highly stressful training and occupational demands, which can affect personality, self- esteem and the ability to communicate upon discharge; and non-transferability of some military occupational specialties into the civilian workforce.
Click here to go to the “On Call” handbook for homeless Veterans and service providers. There are many valuable resources for immediate assistance, health issues, housing issues, employment issues, legal assistance and much, much more.
IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE AND RESOURCES
Help is available for homeless Veterans or those at risk of homelessness:
- For 24/7 assistance, call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-877-424-3838
- To get help locating services, call the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans at 1-800-838-4357 Visit NCHV’s “Help for Veterans” page at www.nchv.org, which has links to contact veteran program coordinators, talk to mental health clinicians and community-based organizations
- For emotional crises, call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 and press 1
- For housing resources, visit HUD’s page at www.hudhre.info/homelessness-assistance/resources-for-homeless-veterans/.
- For disability and other benefits claims assistance, contact your American Legion department service officer at www.legion.org/serviceofficers/IA
- Find a local food bank at www.feedingamerica.org/foodbank-results.aspx
- For 24/7 con dential assistance with domestic violence issues, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233
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For information on the Veteran Justice Outreach (VJO) initiative, including specialists who can provide help for veterans in courts and jails, go to http://www.va.gov/homeless/vjo.asp
- For a homeless kit and additional help and resources in Mills County, call the Mills County Veterans Service Officer at 712-527-5621.
- Mills County Public Health also has many community resources. They can be reached at 712-527-9699.
Again, click here to go to the “On Call” handbook for homeless Veterans and service providers. There are many valuable resources for immediate assistance, health issues, housing issues, employment issues, legal assistance and much, much more.
Harvey T. Rimel American Legion Post 141 