Housing/Experiencing Homelessness News
From Homeless and Underemployed to Stable: One Maine Veteran's Success Story
Tuesday, December 15, 2015 | Category: Housing/Experiencing Homelessness - ME
Homeless, underemployed, and in transitional housing, Michael, a Waldo County veteran, contacted Goodwill’s Workforce Services for career assistance. With assistance from a Goodwill employment counselor, he found training as an Oil Burner Technician and was referred to Preble Street for housing assistance. He is employed and stays connected to the Goodwill Workforce staff.
Veterans Housing at Togus, Portland Apartments Among Those Winning Tax Credits
Thursday, December 3, 2015 | Category: Housing/Experiencing Homelessness - ME
The Volunteers of America New England "Cabin in the Woods" project for homeless veterans was allocated nearly $400,000 in federal low-income housing tax credits. When the needed monies are raised, 21 cabins will be built on 11 acres on the Maine VA property at Togus under a 75-year lease. Additionally, 16 Veterans Affairs housing vouchers, funded by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, were designated to help veterans pay rent on the cabins.
Community Mediation Services Awarded $12,000.00 for Work with Veterans
Wednesday, September 23, 2015 | Category: Housing/Experiencing Homelessness - ME
Volunteers of America's Community Mediation Services (CMS) was awarded a $12,000 grant from the JAMS Foundation. CMS is working with the Maine State Housing Authority (MSHA) and the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program (HUD-VASH) to increase awareness of the benefits of mediation for veterans and landlords providing housing to this population. This initiative includes efforts to: (1) educate MSHA Housing Choice Voucher Program staff, including front-line customer service staff and field personnel (such as inspectors), about conflict resolution and mediation, in their broadest definition to include conflict coaching and self-facilitation, through informational and educational forums; (2) educate landlords and tenants who are veterans in communication, dispute resolution and mediation through informational and educational forums; and (3) offer direct mediation services, including a conflict coaching service, to landlords and tenants who participate in the educational forums.
Collins, King Announce Grant Funding to Support Homeless Veterans in Maine
Wednesday, September 16, 2015 | Category: Housing/Experiencing Homelessness - ME
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) awarded federal grant funding to three agencies providing housing and other wraparound services to Maine veterans at risk of losing housing or experiencing homelessness. Preble Street in Portland was granted $1,683,966, the Washington Hancock Community Agency (WHCA) $290,000, and Veterans Inc. New England $2,000,000 which includes Lewiston to assist homeless and at-risk veterans in Maine.
Before Maine Aid Workers Can Help Struggling Veterans, They Need to Find Them
Tuesday, May 12, 2015 | Category: Housing/Experiencing Homelessness - ME
The Volunteers of America hosted a forum, "The Wages of Valor: Economic and Employment Issues Facing America’s Veterans,” at UMaine Augusta. The topic was helping homeless veterans, beginning with a national broadcast followed by a panel of veteran advocates. The panel stated the need for more robust transitional services and better communication about the existing services within the state.
Cabins for Homeless Vets Bill Gets Strong Backing From Maine Legislators
Friday, April 24, 2015 | Category: Housing/Experiencing Homelessness - ME
The Labor, Commerce, Research, and Economic Development Committee unanimously approved a bill that would provide $1 million in state funding to build cabins for homeless veterans at the federal veterans’ hospital at Togus. A stalled fundraising effort, the proposal from Rep. Jared Golden, D-Lewiston, could jump-start the Volunteers of America project, a charity trying to raise $4 million for 21 cabins for homeless Maine veterans on 11 acres of the VA Maine Healthcare System’s campus between Augusta and Chelsea.
Cabins for Homeless Veterans Proposed for Maine VA Center
Thursday, April 16, 2015 | Category: Housing/Experiencing Homelessness - ME
Volunteers of America is working with Representative Jared Golden of Lewiston, Maine to secure funding to build 21 cabins, called "Cabin in the Woods," next to the VA’s facilities at Togus. This location would be ideal, giving homeless veterans access to their treatment, training, and rehabilitation all within walking distance.
Maine Homeless Veterans Alliance Announces Launch and Nonprofit Status
Monday, January 19, 2015 | Category: Housing/Experiencing Homelessness - ME
The Maine Homeless Veterans Alliance (MHVA) is an official nonprofit organization dedicated to help end homelessness among Maine veterans. Executive Director Roger Goodoak, was himself a former homeless veteran suffering from PTSD and schizophrenia. He personally, drives around Portland, Maine seeking out those in need, delivering blankets, coats, and water. The MHVA is a donation-based operation providing services such as transportation to and from meetings and assistance to vets moving into homes and off the streets.
Maine Voices: Homeless Veterans Have an Ally
Thursday, July 24, 2014 | Category: Housing/Experiencing Homelessness - ME
More than 63,000 military veterans are homeless on any given night in America. Preble Street is a public-private effort who aids military veterans all around the state.