Compassion Spotlight
	From 2002 to 2008, the number of FBCOs funded through the VA Grant and Per Diem Program to serve homeless veterans rose from 176 to 590—a 235% increase. More than 80% of homeless veterans in residential programs with VA services were appropriately housed one year after discharge from these program. Over the past 5 years, the estimated number of homeless veterans has been cut nearly in half.

The Need
The Response
   Homeless Veterans
   Disabled Veterans
   Veterans Returning from Afghanistan and Iraq
   Hospitalized Veterans

The Need

• There are approximately 23 million U.S. military veterans in the United States.
• Some of these veterans face great challenges, including homelessness, disability, hospitalization, or other special needs.
• About 25% of the U.S. adult homeless population has served their country in the Armed Services. Estimates in 2002 put the number of homeless veterans at nearly 295,000.

The Response

FBCOs are working to help resolve virtually every need faced by America’s veterans. Working alongside Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals and other federally operated services, FBCOs are vital partners in meeting the unique challenges faced by those who have served their country in uniform. The FBCI champions efforts to strengthen these FBCOs and expand Federal partnerships with them.

Homeless Veterans
FBCOs are central to a range of Federal efforts to help homeless veterans transition successfully from the streets to stable housing and employment.

The Homeless Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Program at the VA has greatly expanded its networks of FBCO partners providing services to homeless veterans. The GPD program is a direct grant, designed to fund up to 65% of projects, primarily for the construction, acquisition, or renovation of facilities serving homeless veterans. From 2002 to 2008, the number of FBCOs funded through GDP rose from 176 to 590—a 235% increase.

The Loan Guaranty Homeless Program (PDF-170 KB) sells VA-acquired properties to approved nonprofit providers at a discount of 20% to 50% for the purpose of developing shelters for primarily homeless veterans. From 2004 to FY 2008, an estimated 200 properties were sold to nonprofit organizations.

The Loan Guaranty Program for Homeless Veterans Multifamily Transitional Housing provides loans to FBCOs to build multifamily transitional housing for homeless veterans. Most recently, Catholic Charities St. Leo Campus in Chicago opened its newly built apartment building, which is occupied by 141 homeless veterans.

The Restored Vision for Homeless Veterans (PDF-153 KB) pilot is a VA project through which FBCOs aid homeless veterans. This effort has provided over 550 homeless veterans with eyewear since 2006.

The Continuum of Care program at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which serves homeless veterans and nonveterans, increased the number of FBCOs it directly funds by nearly 500 organizations between 2003 and 2006; a 30% increase. Since 2003, HUD has provided funding for more than 42,000 new, permanent, supportive housing beds.

The Supportive Housing Program (HUD-VASH) is an innovative partnership between HUD and the VA. It provides homeless veterans with vouchers that enable them to access medical care through the VA, as well as housing and other supportive services through FBCOs partnered with HUD. The 2008 enacted budget provided $75 million for roughly 10,000 HUD-VASH vouchers for homeless veterans, and President Bush proposed an additional 10,000 vouchers in the FY 2009 Budget.

The Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) at the Department of Labor makes grants to FBCOs and other partners to address the employment component of services for homeless veterans. Since 2002, HVRP grant sites have served more than 80,850 homeless veterans and helped 52,460 find jobs.

As a result of these and other efforts—including the Interagency Council on Homelessness and the VA’s Project CHALENG (Community Homelessness Assessment, Local Education, and Networking Groups)—the number of homeless veterans has been reduced dramatically. Estimates in 2002 placed the number of homeless veterans on a given night at nearly 295,000. In 2007, VA estimates placed that number at approximately 154,000, meaning  that the estimated number of veterans who are homeless on any given night has been cut nearly in half over the past 5 years. A variety of factors contributed to this success, including significantly expanded Federal partnership with FBCOs; more effective coordination of Federal, State, and local efforts; a substantial reduction in the number of poor veterans (from 3 million in 1990 to 1.8 million in 2000); and enhanced efforts to collect data on the number and needs of homeless people.

Disabled Veterans
Many veterans have serious employment disabilities and are in need of vocational rehabilitation. The Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Service has been expanding partnerships with FBCOs around the country. Through the “FBCI=VetSuccess” (PDF-153 KB) program, opportunities for employment and supportive services are being provided to veterans with service-connected disabilities.

• This partnership has yielded four Federal partnerships with 150 new FBCOs that provide needed service to veterans.
• As a result of these partnerships, 2079 veterans with service connected disabilities have been employed by faith-based and community organizations from FY 2005 to FY 2008.

Veterans Returning from Afghanistan and Iraq
VA liaisons work to engage FBCOs around the country in ways that will complement VA services provided to veterans returning from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Under the VA Chaplain Service, local VA chaplains conduct half-day training events throughout the country to provide education and resources for clergy members on physical, mental, and spiritual health issues experienced by some returning veterans and their families.

• In FY 2007, VA chaplains conducted 23 training events attended by 1,330 participants.
• Chaplain Open Houses provide FBCOs with information about VA programs for returning veterans and how they can participate in them. The VA has hosted Open Houses across the country, reaching nearly 700 participants.
• In FY 2008, VA Chaplain Service sponsored 65 Education Day Events around the nation and distributed 2600 Resource Information Packets on caring for those returning home from war and their families.

Hospitalized Veterans
In FY 2007, the VA admitted approximately 589,000 veterans to VA hospitals, a 20% increase from 2006. These veterans have many needs that extend beyond treatment—including escorts to take them to and from appointments, writing and reading services, and assistance in clinic rehabilitation centers. FBCOs and thousands of individual volunteers are actively involved in providing a wide range of services to hospitalized veterans.

The Department of Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service (VAVS) was founded in 1946 to provide for veterans while they are cared for by VA health care facilities.

• VAVS is one of the largest centralized volunteer programs in the Federal government, with more than 85,000 active volunteers.
• 65 major veterans, civic and service organizations along with more than 350 State and local FBCOs are actively involved in providing services to hospitalized veterans in their local communities.
• In fiscal year 2008, 80,827 active VAVS volunteers contributed a total of more than 11.4 million hours of service with an estimated monetary value of $224 million.
• In FY 2008, VAVS volunteers and their organizations contributed an estimated $82 million in gifts and donations.