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    February 17, 2012

Public, Private Organizations Work to Help Thousands of Homeless Veterans in
NY

   Bernard Shusman | New York City

   Several public and private organizations are working together to help
   homeless U.S. military veterans in New York.
   Homeless in NY
   New York City officials say there are 2,000 U.S. military veterans in
   the city who are homeless. And some veterans say there might be twice
   that many.
   The [1]New York Rescue Mission offers help on a short-term basis.
   Funded primarily by public donations, the facilities 100 beds are
   filled every night. Most people who come here are older, single men
   from disadvantaged backgrounds. And many served in Vietnam and the
   conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
   Walter Hernandez, who served 24 years in the U.S. Army, is one of them.
   'It's really rough being homeless. Day by day, trying to find a meal,
   trying to find a place to sleep, it's really rough," he said. "And more
   and more people now being homeless, more veterans are being homeless
   now.'
   Hernandez eats his meals at the mission and used to live here before
   finding other housing. In addition to serving meals, the mission
   provides residents with clothing and laundry and bathroom facilities.
   Jericho Project
   A private group called the [2]Jericho Project provides permanent
   housing for the homeless in New York.
   One building houses 56 units for men and women. Each has a kitchen, bed
   and sitting room, closet space and bathroom. Iraq war veteran Larry
   Fowler says leaving a homeless shelter makes a huge difference.
   'There's something about having your own space that's important to
   everything else you want to do, whether it's looking for a job, going
   to school, friends or family or whatever,' he stated.
   Jericho Project Executive Director Tori Lyon sees a special need for
   military veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. 'Once they
   become homeless, there's a cascade of other problems that can happen.
   Our goal is prevent another generation of homeless veterans," she
   explained.
   New housing development
   On an empty lot on a quiet street in the Bronx, another effort is just
   underway. With funds from the federal and New York state governments,
   and private banks, Bridge Gardens plans to provide 17 housing units for
   veterans,
   'It is not acceptable to see those people who fought for our liberty,
   fought for our way of life, when they come back home, they have to
   fight again to have a place to live. They have to fight again to have
   food on the table; they have to fight again to have access to medical
   care," Mathieu Eugene, New York City Councilman said.
   Homeless advocates say military veterans face unique, prolonged risks
   and that there is an urgent need for communities to take action.

References

   1. http://nycrescue.org/
   2. http://www.jerichoproject.org/

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