NOVEMBER 21-22 ANNOUNCEMENTS Announcements: • Training by American Legion in Clarkston for Veterans Court- more information coming soon from volunteer • The Buddy-to-Buddy program is seeking community events to attend. If there are any events in your area, please let us know so that we may send a representative! • Please log on to the website to submit your interaction logs, drill/event visit logs here: https://buddytobuddy.org/volunteer/auth/login. • If you are on Facebook, please visit and like our page: www.facebook.com/BuddytoBuddyProgram. DISCUSSION TOPIC: Housing Resources- initiative to end veteran homelessness and go over resources available to those veterans reaching out Find that when weather starts to change find increase in homelessness- this year have seen huge increase. Case by case basis usually, many other factors involved. 1) Information that needs to be collected from Veteran to assure best assistance a. Vet full name, phone number, preferred mode of communication b. Branch of service, component of service c. Deployed Y/N – Specify question: has individual received Hostile Fire Pay? d. Current Status e. Service connected veteran- Y/N f. Dates of service g. Character of discharge h. If have copy of DD214 form- some programs/organizations may require form i. Ask if you have their permission to contact other resources on their behalf 2) Why is the veteran homeless? What is going on in this situation? a. Homeless = name is not on lease or mortgage b. Figure out where veteran is sleeping c. If someone does not have place to stay do not hesitate to call B2B or Stephanie If someone has lost home or is at risk next step is to determine eligibility criteria. 3) Verbiage: do you mind if I ask you some questions to help me determine how to best provide you resources … 4) Family involved? Another adult in the picture? Legally married? Minor children? d. Resources will change based on answers to these questions. 5) What is it going to take to rehouse this family/person? e. Timeline 6) Make good fit in terms of referral sources: f. Determine if eligible for HUD-VASH run through VA i. 24 continuous months of active duty service or enhanced combat eligibility 1. Before 1980 do not need 24 months; requirement as more recent 2. Qualify based on income ii. HUD-VASH housing voucher allows veteran to go live in an apartment complex and VA pays rent on their behalf 1. Locations that accept voucher
g. Veteran Homeless Prevention Coordinator (local) at VA – first POC for homeless or at risk veterans, great case management service for homeless veterans that connect with multitude of VA resources; 7:30-4:30 hours during week i. Call or send us email if you are curious to who your prevention coordinator is and would like contact information ii. Or call hospital operator who will connect you to right person iii. 1(877) 424-3838- National call number open 24/7 for veterans to call to get into VA system h. VA giving grants to different local non-profits for SSVF = Supportive Services for Veteran Families i. Refer to SSVF Michigan Providers List (below), Google SSVF in your county, or contact someone on B2B team who will connect you your local resources ii. Different eligibility criteria 1. Based on county iii. A lot of options with what they can help do; prevent homelessness through financial help, help with minor home repairs, housing voucher program to help with rent, number of situations that are justified through housing instability 1. Example given by Mike Bachand: car payment needing assistance because paid housing payment over car payment and didn’t have sufficient funds to cover car payment iv. VA 1800 number that can call to learn about SSVF but may not be easiest manner of learning about local SSVF resources v. Paperwork needed on veterans’ behalf vi. Current list of grants for 2017 broken down by state and county i. For members of the National Guard i. Patriot Fund if financial need is under $3000 ii. Local Community Action Agency iii. National Guard Association that can provide larger grants www.ngam,org j. Emergency Measures that may need to be put in place i. 1) Find an organization that can put individual/family in hotel such as Fallen and Wounded Soldiers Fund www.fwsf.org 1. issuu.com can look at support call notes with Lynn Phillips and her personal cell phone ii. 2) People who aren’t eligible for SSVF or VA Local Community Action Agency (varies by county) but assist with homelessness 1. Veterans Relief fund in certain counties k. Other resources: i. VFW National Home for Children in Eaton Rapids- Single family homes maintained by VFW 3 bedroom 2 bathroom houses to help military families get back on feet 1. Rent free for up to 3 years, ONLY for families with full custody of children, no pets (except service animals), no smoking 2. Can be extended to 5 years if show need 3. Case management services provided as well ii. Silver Star Apartments in Battle Creek designed to assist homeless veterans; 76 independent living quarters 1. Waiting list 2. Charge for apartment based on income but no limit to how long can be there iii. Detroit Piquette Square; 150 apartments that offer comprehensive support for veterans
Utility bills as another issue as weather is changing: 1) True North a. Late fee, verify payment, money directly to utility company b. Willing to work with individuals not just if have disconnect of services 2) United Ways Care Program- statewide programs 3) Trust Fund Programs- Michigan Veterans Trust Fund a. Apply online in regions 4 and 9, other regions apply in local county office 4) Fallen and Wounded Soldiers- post 9/11 5) Michigan Bikers Helping Veterans 6) Veterans Relief Fund 7) American Legion Patriot Fund- when not eligible for much else
ORGANIZATION
Alger Marquette MI Community Action Board
COUNTIES SERVED
PHONE NUMBER
CONTACT EMAIL
Alger, Baraga, Chippewa, Delta, Dickinson, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, Luce, Mackinac, Marquette, Menominee, Ontonagon, Schoolcraft
(906) 2286522 x351
msippola@amcab.org
MI
Bluewater Center for Independent Living
St. Clair, Lapeer, Tuscola, Sanilac, Huron, Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne Counties
810-987-9337 christinecook@bwcil.org
MI
Community Action Agency
Branch, Cass, Hillsdale, Jackson, Lenawee and St. Joseph
800-491-0004 hmahoney@caajlh.org
MI
Community Rebuilders
Kent County, Michigan
616-458-5102
MI
Housing Services for Mid Michigan
Eaton, Barry, and Clinton
517-541-1180 ddunn@hs-mm.org
Mid Michigan MI Community Action Agency, Inc.
Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Ionia, Isabella, Lake, Mecosta, Midland, Montcalm, Newaygo, and Osceola
877-204-6152 nalexander@mmcaa.org
Northwest Michigan MI Community Action Agency, Inc.
Alpena, Alcona, Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Iosco, Kalkaska, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Manistee, Mason, Missaukee, Montmorency, Oceana, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon, and Wexford
1-844-9000500
Oakland Livingston MI Human Services Agency
Ingham, Genesee, Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, Shiawasee and Washtenaw
517-546-8500 ext. Laura Wesley, Ganiah Hinton 4114, ext. 4105
MI
Southwest Counseling Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb Solutions
abritton@communityrebuil ders.org
vroush@nmcaa.net
313 481-7900 jbeck@swsol.org
Training & MI Treatment Innovations, Inc.
Lapeer, Oakland, Macomb, Saginaw, Genesee, Jackson
866-787-6734 awamsler@ttiinc.org
Volunteers of MI America Michigan, Inc.
Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Calhoun, Eaton, Ingham, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Muskegon, Ottawa and Van Buren
1-877509VETS (8387)
Wayne Metropolitan MI Community Action Agency
Wayne, Monroe, Washtenaw
734-284-6999 info@waynemetro.org
Volunteers of MI America Michigan, Inc.
Wayne
877-509-8387 athierbach@voami.org
athierbach@voami.org