VA Homeless Programs Office Monthly Newsletter | June 2024
A Word from Monica Diaz
Executive Director, VHA Homeless Programs Office
Taking care of our health can sometimes take a back seat in our busy lives. For those experiencing homelessness, especially unsheltered homelessness, seeing a doctor falls even further down the priority list.
Our mobile medical units (MMUs), which we rolled out in select locations nationwide, have been bringing much needed health care directly to vulnerable, unsheltered Veterans who frequently contend with unmet medical and mental health needs.
I’m excited to announce that our initial MMU offering is now fully deployed—with the 25th MMU recently hitting the road in San Francisco.
READ MORE
Our mobile medical units (MMUs), which we rolled out in select locations nationwide, have been bringing much needed health care directly to vulnerable, unsheltered Veterans who frequently contend with unmet medical and mental health needs.
I’m excited to announce that our initial MMU offering is now fully deployed—with the 25th MMU recently hitting the road in San Francisco.
READ MORE
End Veteran Homelessness
In another big win in the fight to end Veteran homelessness, Dallas and Collin counties in Texas announced that they have effectively eliminated Veteran homelessness. These communities are now equipped to identify Veterans who fall into homelessness and help them quickly move back into homes.
Needs of Native American Veterans
For those working to end homelessness in Native American Veteran communities, we’ve revised our toolkit to include updates to evolving programs, expand the list of resources, and delve into the context of housing needs of Native American Veterans.
and Homelessness
Recovering from rejection from her family for being transgender and a sexual assault while serving in the military, Navy Veteran Anya McDonald was homeless for many years before finding stable housing with help from VA.
| ENDING VETERAN HOMELESSNESS PODCAST | ||||||||||||
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As we celebrate the rollout of our final mobile medical units (MMUs), we invite guests Dr. Jillian Weber, National Homeless Patient Aligned Care Team (HPACT) program manager, and Dr. Aayshah Muneerah, VA Oklahoma City Healthcare System, to the Ending Veteran Homelessness podcast to discuss how MMUs bring medical care services directly to Veterans experiencing homelessness and living on the street.
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| Listen to the latest episode | ||||||||||||
Unsheltered Homelessness
Initiative
Successes of Homeless
Women Veterans
Social Supports for
Incarcerated Veterans
Language in Substance Use
PTSD, Veterans,
and Legal System
for Long-Term Rental Assistance
HUD-VASH Housing Specialist Jason Goman develops strong relationships with homeless Veterans and landlords in the Albany, New York, area so he can match his Veterans with the best rental units for their situation, increasing their odds of staying successfully housed. Read his full spotlight to learn more about the role he plays in housing homeless Veterans.
As temperatures start to rise, so do rates of heat-related illness (HRI).
An analysis of VA data has shown that HRIs increased among Veterans from 2002 to 2019, particularly among Black, American Indian, and Alaskan Native Veterans, and those with complex health conditions.
Stay on top of heat events using the CDC's Heat & Health Tracker to see your location’s current heat risk and weekly forecast, populations affected, and more. If your area is experiencing extreme heat, you can take steps to avoid HRI by:
Stay on top of heat events using the CDC's Heat & Health Tracker to see your location’s current heat risk and weekly forecast, populations affected, and more. If your area is experiencing extreme heat, you can take steps to avoid HRI by:
- Staying in air-conditioned areas or finding a cooling center
- Wearing light, loose-fitting clothing
- Drinking water often, even before you feel thirsty
NATIONAL CALL CENTER FOR HOMELESS VETERANS
Veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness are strongly
encouraged to contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans
at (877) 4AID-VET (877-424-3838) for assistance.
encouraged to contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans
at (877) 4AID-VET (877-424-3838) for assistance.