Combating homelessness in Delaware
According to recent numbers from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, about 12% of the adult homeless population are veterans. But now Delaware has an ambitious plan in store to get veterans off the street by the end of this year. This is all part of a national initiative called the “Mayors Challenge” and in May, Governor Jack Markell accepted the challenge for the state.
47 ABC spoke with Maria Bynum of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD, and she tells us, “We can’t imagine that someone who has sacrificed for their country who has served in a uniform should come back to our country and not have a place to live.”
Multi-level agencies met at Delaware Tech on Thursday to discuss the need and how to achieve this goal by using federal, state and local resources. From rapid re-housing, short term housing and shelters, for those veterans who need immediate assistance like utility payments or assistance securing housing or deposits, to permanent housing for vets who need 24/7 supportive services. But it appears permanent housing is currently in short supply, and the state is hoping to address that by helping those vets currently in that position to move on with guidance and housing resources and help them resolve their housing crisis.
47 ABC spoke with James Mifflin of Delaware who is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He served just after the Vietnam War but last year after a series of unfortunate life events, he ended up living on the streets. But thanks to senior services and the help of supportive services for veteran families, his got back on his own two feet.
Mifflin tells 47 ABC, “They were able to basically get me into a place to live and help me change a little bit of my lifestyle which was good and get me started on my own two feet again.”
A focused effort by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, led to a 30% decrease in the number of homeless vets over the past 4 years across the U.S. But according to the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, on any given night 50,000 veterans are homeless in the U.S. Of that number, they estimate that 280 vets will be homeless in Delaware this year.
Mifflin tells 47 ABC, “I know its hard out there right now but the best thing you can do is keep on going, eventually you’ll get there. These folks will help you. All you have to do is talk to them.”
The state will be monitoring the number of homeless veterans utilizing these services to make sure they are on track to complete their end of year goal. A spokesperson from HUD tells us veterans homelessness is just part of a much bigger plan. They want to end homelessness entirely. Their goal is to get rid of veteran homelessness by 2015, chronic homelessness by 2017, and family homelessness by 2020.
If you or someone you know needs housing assistance in Delaware there are a number of ways that you can get help.
The Department of Veterans Affairs:
New Castle County (302) 994-2511 ext. 4697
Kent County (302) 994-2511 ext. 2406
Sussex County (302) 994-2511 ext. 2303
Connections CSP:
New Castle County (302) 250-5868
Kent County (302) 734-0319 ext. 14
Sussex County (302) 332-0913
Veterans Multi-Service Center:
Statewide (302) 668-7331
Connections Community Support Programs
Wilmington (302) 250-5868
Peoples Place
Dover (302) 734-0319 ext. 14
Connections Community Support Programs
Seaford (302) 332-0913
Sussex Vet Center
Georgetown (302) 225-9110
