[PRESS RELEASE] Village for Vets Reports Substantial Increase in Housing-Related Applications for Emergency Funds
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug 18, 2020
Village for Vets | info@villageforvets.org
Los Angeles, CA: Village for Vets, a non-profit organization filling critical gaps in services for homeless and at-risk veterans, reported a 400% increase in applications, most seeking housing-related help from its Emergency Financial Assistance program since the start of the COVID-19 crisis in March.
The Village for Vets Emergency Financial Assistance program provides short-term financial assistance to at-risk veterans experiencing a financial emergency that imperils their housing, employment, or health.
As eviction moratorium and rental assistance programs expire, Village for Vets expects significant increases in requests for short-term rental assistance for veterans to keep from slipping into homelessness.
The American Legion Post 283 provided the seed grant to start this fund and have continued to support it. Critical support has also been provided by Annenberg Foundation and Tech Sgt. Jack Kushner Ret’d Foundation.
Veterans apply for emergency grants via referral from partner agencies and organizations, including the Greater Los Angeles VA, Step Up on 2nd, People Assisting the Homeless (PATH) and UCLA Veteran Family Wellness Center.
Examples of veterans who have received housing assistance grants (names are changed to protect the privacy of the veterans described):
Jane, a 22-year-old vet, was referred to Village for Vets by her VA social worker. She lost her job, and then her home, and, with the onset of the COVID lockdowns, access to safe hygiene measures. The Village for Vets Emergency Financial Assistance program provided funding for a safe temporary housing solution, and the Village for Vets team also helped her get an expedited screening for permanent housing and connected to a community employment program.
Jason, a 35-year-old Army Veteran with an eleven-year-old child, could not afford rent or groceries after his work hours were cut due to the COVID crisis. The Village for Vets Emergency Financial Assistance program provided rental assistance and a gift card for groceries; helped Jason negotiate a lower rental payment; and connected him with resources in his community for grocery assistance in the future.
Jared, an Army National Guard Veteran couldn’t pay his rent or utilities after he lost both his income and his roommate. The Village for Vets Emergency Financial Assistance program helped him close the gap so he could stay in his home.
A US Army Veteran who is currently experiencing homelessness and residing in New Directions transitional housing program was referred by his case manager for assistance with a Crane Operation Certification. The Veteran had already secured a job that is dependent on him taking a Crane Operating Course and passing a test. The combined cost was $980.00. Village for Vets was able to cover this cost in order for the Veteran to begin his new job and take the necessary steps out of homelessness.
One veteran who received rental assistance, Jared, noted, “There is a weight that I can't really describe, which is lifted, in knowing that one of the necessities will be taken care of for this month.”
In response to the anticipated growth in need, Village for Vets is expanding its Emergency Financial Assistance program.
About Village for Vets: Village for Vets fills gaps in support for homeless and at-risk veterans in greater Los Angeles, providing meals, emergency grants, support for basic needs, and links to additional services. In the four years since it was founded, Village for Vets has grown tenfold, expanding from providing a few dozen sandwiches to ease the out-of-pocket burden on a VA case manager, to a dozen programs in partnership with major homeless- and veteran-service organizations in Los Angeles. Village for Vets has provided nearly 60,000 meals to homeless and at-risk veterans, nearly $100K in emergency financial assistance, and an array of other services to veterans in need in greater Los Angeles.