Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey recently announced a $20 million campaign to end veteran homelessness in the state.
The "End Veteran Homelessness" is a cross-collaborative initiative within the Healey-Driscoll Administration and federal, local, and veteran-serving organizations that prioritizes supportive housing, access to behavioral health services, capital investments to support veteran housing, and provides technical assistance to community providers.
By leveraging evidence-based strategies and fostering collaboration across federal and non-profit sectors, Massachusetts aims to set a national model for ending veteran homelessness.
This groundbreaking veteran’s housing initiative will include the largest, targeted investment to address veteran homelessness in state history.
The goal behind the campaign is to make Massachusetts a state where veteran homelessness rates reach a level of “functional zero,” a federal term meaning a system where homelessness is rare, brief, and non-recurring. It involves ensuring that there are enough resources and support services available to quickly identify and assist individuals or families experiencing homelessness, ultimately leading to their swift placement into stable housing. A number of Massachusetts cities and counties have achieved “functional zero” including New Bedford, Lowell and Lynn.
“Our administration is committed to making Massachusetts a national leader in veterans services,” said Gov. Healey. “Today, we are proud to launch the largest investment in our state's history to end veteran homelessness in Massachusetts. It is through this initiative that we will work to ensure that every veteran in our state has a safe and stable place to call home.”
Veterans represent 3% of homeless individuals in Massachusetts. Currently, approximately 500-600 veterans are experiencing homelessness in the state, per the Point in Time (PIT) count. This is often compounded by mental health and substance use challenges.
The campaign comprises of five pillars strategically designed to address the multifaceted challenges faced by homeless veterans:
· Homelessness Outreach to Placement Effort (HOPE): The HOPE campaign is an intensive, geographically equitable initiative to engage directly with homeless veterans and facilitate their placement into stable housing. HOPE seeks to better coordinate and fund veteran housing efforts across federal, state, and municipal entities, including increasing access to comprehensive behavioral health services and providing flexible housing assistance funds for homeless veterans.
· Capital Investments Supporting Veteran Housing: The campaign will provide capital investments to support the acquisition, rehabilitation, or construction of affordable housing for veterans.
· Aligning Supportive Services with Veteran Housing Goals: The Healey-Driscoll Administration will allocate funds to veteran service providers offering supportive services to veterans experiencing housing instability.
· End Veteran Homelessness Advisory Council: An advisory council of stakeholders in the veteran, housing, and homelessness space, will provide guidance and support to achieve and end veteran homelessness.
· Empowering and Supporting our Veteran Service Providers: The Healey-Driscoll Administration will provide opportunities for technical assistance to veteran service providers to undergo efforts such as grant writing, strategic planning, operations, etc. This initiative will provide access to expert support to empower veteran community-based providers in maximizing their impact and tapping into additional sources of funding.
“No one who served our country should ever worry about having a roof over their heads,” Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This campaign acts on our administration's shared commitment to restore dignity, provide hope, and keep a promise to our veterans that they will never be forgotten or left behind. As the daughter of a veteran, I appreciate the positive impact this initiative will have on all of Massachusetts' veterans.”
For more information on the End Veteran Homeless Campaign, visit mass.gov/endvethomelessness.