In Chicago, approximately 1,200 Veterans are homeless each night with more than 18,000 experiencing homelessness annually. Veterans account for more than 50 percent of those considered "chronically" homeless in Chicago.

Nationally, over 200,000 Veterans are homeless on any given night in this country and more than 500,000 are homeless at some point during the year. Veterans account for more than 33 percent of the total homeless male population which means that 1 out of every 3 homeless men in this country is a veteran. When homeless women and children are included, Veterans account for approximately 25 percent of the total homeless population in the country. Approximately 90 percent of homeless Veterans were honorably discharged from military service and more than one third of them specifically served in a combat zone during their military service.

In an effort to combat homelessness for Veterans in Chicago, Volunteers of America of Illinois (VOA of IL) established a Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) in mid 2007. The overall goal of the HVRP program is to provide the training, opportunities and support necessary to support homeless veterans in achieving economic self-sufficiency and stability through viable, long-term employment. VOA of IL's HVRP program includes 5 main components: 1) outreach; 2) assessment and targeted case management; 3) supportive services; 4) job training and placement; and 5) aftercare support. VOA of IL serves more than 250 Veterans every year through supportive services.

VOA of IL expects to assess at least 350 homeless Veterans in 2009. Since July of 2008, VOA of IL has enrolled 188 Veterans in their HVRP program. Also since July 2008, VOA of IL has assisted 50 Veterans in finding employment and hopes to employ 100 more Veterans by June of 2009.

Despite efforts to find veterans well paying jobs, some Veterans still live in shelters while working. Herman, an HVRP participant, works at Target making $7.75 per hour and works 40 + hours per week. Despite his best efforts, Herman finds it difficult to find an apartment of his own in the City of Chicago because rents are not affordable. Because of this situation and although he has been working for the last three months, Herman is still living at the Pacific Garden Mission shelter for men which is located at 1458 S. Canal St in Chicago. John, another HVRP program participant, also works 40 + hours per week at Mepco Finance Corporation but can't afford housing. Jim stays at the YMCA Shelter in Evanston. Jim hopes that with hard work, he'll be lifted to a pay scale where he can save enough to afford his own apartment.

VOA of IL realized that the main barrier in moving homeless Veterans to self-sufficiency is lack of affordable housing in Chicago. Housing for a studio or Single Room Occupancy (SRO) room costs approximately $650 a month. If a family is involved rents can run between $750 for a one-bedroom to $1,200 for a three-Bedroom apartment.

Many low-income individuals are often forced to spend far more than 30% of their total income on housing. When the amount of total income spent on rent exceeds 30%, meeting other basic needs like food, clothing and utilities is very difficult, if not impossible. It is not unusual for people to skip meals or forego heat to maintain their rent.

To address the lack of affordable housing in Chicago, VOA of IL is developing a supportive housing project for homeless Veterans on the West Side of Chicago where, according to data from the Department of Veterans Affairs, there is a high concentration of homeless Veterans in need of housing and supportive services. The project will be located at the corner of Madison and St. Louis in East Garfield Park which is located in the 29th Aldermanic Ward. The project will include: 1) supportive housing for up to 50 homeless Veterans in need of immediate and intensive services at the point of referral / application; and 2) affordable housing for up to 30 Veterans requiring less intensive but perhaps longer term housing and support. The project will also include first floor commercial space (specifically designed to create on-site employment opportunities for residents); comprehensive supportive services on-site; a full-service Business and Training Resource Center for residents; a large community meeting and living space for residents; private, enclosed green space; and laundry facilities on every floor with residential units.

About Volunteers of America of Illinois

Volunteers of America of Illinois is a private, not-for-profit, faith-based, social service organization dedicated to helping people of all ages create positive and lasting change in their lives through programs that support, empower and transform. To learn more about Volunteers of America of Illinois, please visit http://www.voaillinois.org/ or call 312-564-2300.

Keywords: Volunteers of America of Illinois.

This article was prepared by Pediatrics Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Pediatrics Week via NewsRx.com.

Copyright 2009 Pediatrics Week via VerticalNews.com