New Bedford’s Homeless Veterans Should Be Shown Love on Veterans Day

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development estimates that 40,056 veterans are homeless on any given night.

"Over a year, approximately twice that many experience homelessness," the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans said. "Only 7% of the general population can claim veteran status, but nearly 13% of the homeless adult population are veterans."

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is "committed to ending homelessness among veterans."

The VA said it has a threefold focus.

The VA conducts a coordinated outreach to "proactively seek veterans in need of assistance." The agency "connects homeless and at-risk veterans with housing solutions, health care, community employment services, and other required supports."

Finally, the VA "collaborates with federal, state, and local agencies, employers, housing providers, faith-based and community non-profits, and others to expand employment and affordable housing opportunities for veterans exiting homelessness."

New Bedford's Veterans Transition House "helps homeless and at-risk veterans and their families across Southeastern Massachusetts."

"We provide shelter and services, with a focus on healing from substance abuse and learning new life skills," the VTH said.

VTH was founded in 1990 by a group of Vietnam veterans and community leaders "who recognized the vital need for housing and supportive services for homeless and at-risk veterans."

VTH's goal is "the rehabilitation, self-sufficiency, and reintegration of each veteran into the community. It is our belief that the veterans we serve seek a hand up, not a handout."

The Veterans Transition House is at 1297 Purchase Street in New Bedford. VTH has immediate needs for assistance, be it monetary or in-kind donations.

In the spirit of Veterans Day, November 11, 2024, visit the VTH website to see how you might help.