AK AVA Outline: Homeless Vets
I will be creating an advocacy website through Wordpress.com to argue for policy changes when it comes to veteran outreach programs and their housing assistance programs which are funded by the VA.
I have not decided yet on things like what template to use, but I’m leaning towards a more simple, professional look. Some guidelines I am trying to adhere to:
Minimalist: Not trying to make someone read a lot on the main webpage. I want the majority reading to be in the op-ed
Preface statements then links to more detailed information rather than all the details on the page.
Although there are many programs to address veteran homelessness, providers do not adequately address those in a guaranteed process of becoming homeless. They simply wait until you are fully “homeless” (by their standards) before they provide assistance even though the programs are designed to also address those who are “at risk.”
There will be a section that gives the overall background of veteran homelessness, that it is a problem needing to be addressed.
I will point out the unique issues veterans face that make them prone to homelessness.
I will provide current stats on homeless vets, and some ways they differ from the general homeless population. (most vets that are homeless are not hopeless and only need a little help)
http://nchv.org/index.php/news/media/background_and_statistics/
(Maybe I will simply preface the issue with a statement and provide links to the above.)
I will explain the existing programs designed to combat veteran homelessness, and their inadequacies.
Provide links to the various program websites that describe their mission and basic eligibility criteria
http://www.va.gov/homeless/for_homeless_veterans.asp
Issue: program rules versus provider interpretation do not coincide.
individual case-workers decide who they feel “deserves” assistance.
(should not have to fit the “stereotype” of a homeless person to get assistance. Eligible means eligible.)
El Paso shelters require “chronic homelessness” to receive assistance. There is no clear definition of this, and does not reflect program rules established by HUD-VASH.
Policy changes (still working on more specific change)
make case-workers more accountable to program rules so that there is no ambiguity regarding one’s eligibility for assistance.·
establish preventative measures for veterans at risk of homelessness. (simply catching the problem early before it becomes a bigger issue)
this is a secondary mission of most vet programs but there is no mechanism in place to administer
this could reduce program costs to provider, meaning more money to help others
address imminent homelessness (homeless in 14 days as per HUD-VASH). This means the veteran “bounces” back much faster, with less assistance. (See previous bullet)
adhere to program definition of “Homeless”§
https://www.hudexchange.info/resources/documents/HomelessAssistanceActAmendedbyHEARTH.pdf
versus personal definition from the case-worker point of view of what a homeless person SHOULD be like.
I will conduct a short interview with a member of the veteran social services to get her inside perspective of the processes and some of the inadequacies of providing assistance to veterans.
A second interview will be conducted with a veteran who is an active volunteer for different veteran services, and helps other veterans with finding resources including housing assistance.
Depending on willingness, this may be a short video interview that can be embedded on the website.
The stats mentioned earlier will be in the form of a graph.
I would like to find a patriotic song to play in the background, or perhaps an opening photo montage to show the sacrifice made by veterans. This is to help establish having to go through so much in service and come back only to be homeless.
I want to use pictures of younger veterans who look normal, rather than the stereotypical desperate veteran indistinguishable from other chronically homeless people. I want to paint the picture of a strong modern veteran who has simply hit a wall, and needs minimal assistance to get over it. The message is that veterans will not take assistance only to fall back into the same cycle of despair. Also to help combat the image of what a homeless person is “supposed” to be.
I have first-hand experience going through the various veteran services in El-Paso. I will share my experience and the inadequacies I observed while navigating the different programs, and talking to the various representatives.