Local and national organizations work to assist veterans experiencing homelessness

BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – A new federal report shows a 19% increase in the number of veterans experiencing homelessness in Texas. Local and national advocates are here to help.

There is no Veterans Administration program in Bryan and College Station. Veterans looking to access those programs have to travel to Temple for service.

“Last year we were able to place four different individuals that veterans in the system, and through our collaboration with the VA up in Temple,” Twin City Mission Director of Community Relations Ron Crozier said.

Local organizations like Twin City Mission have stepped up here at home to try and close that gap through their own programs; offering services to help those experiencing homelessness find stability and transition into housing. The nonprofit does not have a veteran-specific program, but give veterans priority during the application process.

“We owe them. We owe them the dignity and respect for the uniform they wore,” Crozier said.

According to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, veterans who are homeless aren’t immune to stigmas limiting their opportunities, despite their service.

“It does take a lot of work to convince landlords, employers, other partners, that their veterans are worth taking the chance on,” CEO Kathryn Monet said.

The organization works to connect veterans with resources at the local level. Monet encourages organizations at that level to continue their work in supporting those who are homeless, especially veterans who are homeless.

“Someone whose got a rental property, rent to a veteran exiting homelessness. If you’re someone whose got a job open, consider hiring somebody whose leaving homelessness,” she added.

However, Monet said the root causes of homelessness must be addressed in order for a real difference to be made.

“Some of the risk factors are more systemic. When you think about the housing market, the labor market, the minimum wage not having changed nationally in well over a decade,” she said, “things like discrimination and systemic inequities that, you know, pass generations of harm on the communities of color; and then there are other factors that are more institutional.”

If you or someone you know is in need of services from the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, call their toll-free number at 1-800-VET-HELP.