VA Boston Healthcare System

Hundreds of Veterans from within and outside Massachusetts attended the 2012 Stand Down sponsored by VA Boston Healthcare System and Volunteers of America. Male and female, young and not so young homeless Veterans or those at risk for becoming homeless, came by to take advantage of the free goods and services being offered.

This was the first Stand Down for Joyce R. a former Marine. "I'll be homeless in about a month or so, and I need help. I came here today not knowing what to expect, but it's so organized and helpful. I hooked up with housing and they gave me a bunch of options. I'll be leaving here feeling so much better."

Services provided include housing, dental, eyeglasses, medical, education, ID's, legal assistance, clothing, VA benefits and VA Health registration, foot care, Women Veterans Program and so much more.

"I'm living in a shelter right now, waiting on a liver transplant." said Army Veteran John B. from RI. "I came today and will probably spend the night. This is my first Stand Down and I can't believe the amount of services there are. And sure, I came for those, but I'm here first because this is where I want to be, surrounded by my own, by those who have served too. I don't have to be here, I want to be." he said.

If you add the number of family members and Veterans helped at this year's Stand Down, the total reaches approximately 1000. "I believe we helped more people at this Stand Down, than any in the past." said Gloria-Ann Vieira, VA employee and  one of the many Stand Down coordinators. "VA Boston employees generously donated items to make 200 gift bags which were raffled off to Veterans and they offered their time and services to support our at risk or homeless Veterans."

VA Boston's Health Care for Homeless Veterans program has served over 750 homeless Veterans through its Housing and Urban Development and VA Supported Housing Program since it began in 2008.   Of the 650 Section Eight Housing Rental Choice Vouchers  awarded to Boston, VA Boston's HUD-VASH program has now housed over 500 Veterans through this program.  

VA Boston's Homeless Walk in Clinic has provided open access to over 1000 Veterans and their families over the past three years.  Boston is  also the largest VA system recipient of referrals through the National Homeless Hotline within New England.  The HCHV program staff at VA Boston has seen an increase in referrals through the National Homeless Hotline by a rate of 83% since 2011.  VA Boston's HCHV team has had 230 calls referred to them through the National Homeless Hotline.  Within this group of callers Boston responded to 46 Veterans with children.  This is a 400% increase in family referrals since 2011 and Peer Specialists in the Housing First Pilot program have provided outreach to over 300 homeless Veterans since they began in January of 2012. 

Through partnerships with VA, State and a diverse group of community partners, VA Boston is making strides toward ending homelessness among Veterans throughout the State of Massachusetts.