Housing Commission

Keith Morris, Chairman
Published in the 2015-2016 Department of California, Book of Reports

Mission: To assist veterans of this state in their present and future housing problems. We want to start off by saying thank you for our appointment to the veterans housing commission. We’ve started our mission to move this commission in a better direction. It has been a great honor to meet some individuals who would like to assist in moving our Department forward with respect to Veterans Housing. On August 27, 2015, I met with Todd Short, Director of Business Development BASE Architects. He and his company have an interest in renovating a veteran’s home to make it in compliance with the needs of disabled veterans. In addition, we met with several individuals whom would like to provide housing for our homeless veterans. Currently, I have a few homes that would like to assist us as providing temporary housing for our homeless veterans. October 6, 2015, a town hall meeting for the New Veterans Campus project was held. I attended the Grand Opening of the Vermont Villa Apartment Complex in Gardena through PATH. On Nov 21, 2015, I will be attending a caucus which is going to be hosted by SEIU 721 at exposition Park beginning at 7am. I have an interest in obtaining information to provide our community with opportunities to assist us with veterans’ homelessness. January 2016, the Homeless Veterans Initiative (HVI) with is administered by the Housing Authority which offers Section 8 vouchers to very low-income homeless veterans in the California Area. This program is different than HUD-VASH, HVI helps veterans who are not eligible for VA Healthcare. There are criteria’s that are in place to participate in the program.

Eligibility is as follows Veterans (and families) who:
*Are not eligible for VA Healthcare. This includes veterans whose discharge is less than honorable (other than honorable or dishonorable discharge).
*Are homeless or chronically homeless individuals or households as defined by HUD. This includes living on the streets or in an emergency shelter, but not living doubled up or couch surfing.

Referral process is very simple refer the veteran to different social service organizations to begin the process where they will be assigned a case worker to assist in providing the veteran with adequate housing services until the veterans housing needs are met.

Let’s also remember the best way for us to assist Veterans who are homeless is to connect them to our local VA. Each veterans Administration office has a homeless coordinator in addition to members of our commission in all 6 areas. Each area commissioner has connections with different supportive housing to assist in eliminating our veteran homelessness. Finally, the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans is 877-4AIDVET 877-424-3838. Let’s work together to minimize Veterans Homelessness.

Homeless Veteran Resources

National Call Center for Homeless Veterans – VA’s National Call Center for Homeless Veterans hotline: (877) 424-3838 or (877) 4AID VET gives homeless veterans and at-risk veterans free access to trained counselors 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans – a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, NCHV is the resource and technical assistance center for a national network of community-based service providers and local, state and federal agencies that provide emergency and supportive housing, food, health services, job training and placement assistance, legal aid and case management support for hundreds of thousands of homeless veterans each year. NCHV also serves as the primary liaison between the nation’s care providers, Congress and the Executive Branch agencies charged with helping them succeed in their work. Locate a local resource.

Since its establishment in 1925, The American Legion Temporary Financial Assistance (TFA) program has awarded cash grants to minor children of current active duty or American Legion members. These grants help families in need meet the cost of shelter, food, utilities and health expenses, thereby keeping the child or children in a more stable environment.

Who is eligible for a grant?

The minor child must not be older than 17, or 20 if still enrolled in high school or is physically handicapped. The minor child must be the biological child, stepchild, or in the legal custody of, a qualifying veteran. A qualifying veteran is defined as a member of the United States Armed Forces serving on federal orders current under Title 10 of the United States Code, inclusive of all components, OR any veteran possessing an up-to-date membership in The American Legion. Active duty applicants can be considered without being a member of The American Legion. A single onetime non-repayable Temporary Financial Assistance grant of up to $1,500 will be permitted for the minor child(ren) of a qualifying veteran.

No child is considered eligible for Temporary Financial Assistance until a complete investigation is conducted at the post or department level, a legitimate family need is determined, and all other available assistance resources have been utilized or exhausted. Additionally, the TFA application must originate and be filled out by someone at the local level.

How to Apply