Homeless Veterans and Employment:

1.     Each Post Commander should appoint a Homeless Veteran and Employment Chairman. These appointments with contact information should be sent to District and Department Director(s).

2.     Homeless Veteran defined:

a.     An individual who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence; and,

b.     A Veteran who has a primary nighttime residence that is:

               i.       A supervised publicly or privately operated shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations (including welfare hotels, congregate shelters, and transitional housing for the homeless)

             ii.       An institution that provides a temporary residence for individuals intended to be institutionalized for human beings.

            iii.       A public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings.

3.     Veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness are strongly encouraged to contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at (877) 4AID-VET (877-424-3838) for assistance. If Veterans do not have access to a phone or the internet, only then are they to visit their closest VA medical center without calling in advance.

4.     Chairpersons should work with the Post's leadership and members to host/co-host a Job Fair. You may also contact the web sites (Vet-Jobs, at (877-838-5627), www.vetjobs.com, www.floridavets.org/benefits-services/employment/, and www.va.gov/homeless.

5.     Each Chairperson should compile a list of local agencies to assist veterans either in Employment, Homelessness, or Food Banks.  Post this list on the Bulletin board and inform the membership of its presence.

6.     Learn about your agencies and Host or Co-Host a town hall meeting or a stand-down. By reaching out to all organizations within your area, you should be able to form a network to assist you in reaching more Veterans’ employers and housing assistance centers.

7.     Remember the Post Relief fund is for aiding Veterans in need. You can utilize these funds to briefly assist a homeless Veteran or a Veteran that is on the verge of being homeless. Don’t forget about UNMET Needs and Because We Care grants.

8.     Other ways of getting this information out is through your local Radio, Televisions, Cables, Marquee's, Churches, and Library's, Newspapers, District and Post Newsletters, and all Bulletin Boards. The more information you get to the public, is a better chance of helping relay the information to our Homeless Veterans.

9.     Remember to report your activity both to the Department Program Director and on your Post Activity Report. 

10. Education and training are keys to breaking the homeless cycle. Encourage your local/city/county legislators support programs for homeless veterans beyond just a roof over their heads.