Two of the country's most politically savvy and competitive cities are now in a tight race to end veteran homelessness by the end of the year.
In the nation's capital, a small group of advocates is shaking things up on the ground and energizing city decision makers and service providers to get to the finish line on time. Before Chicago, that is.
Last week, local and national leaders gathered at an event at the Mount Pleasant Public Library sponsored by Veterans Now DC, a local veteran advocacy group. All signs point to the fact that D.C. has the resources to do the job, but the push will be hard.
Veterans Now DC's boot-camp, all-hands-on-deck approach has made it possible to both expedite and maximize housing placements. In 2015 alone, the group has averaged 61 placements a month, which is truly remarkable in a destination city with so much pressure on the housing market.
In all, over 1,000 veterans have been housed since the group first assembled in August 2013.
One of Veterans Now DC's greatest strengths is their infectious enthusiasm for the cause. There was plenty of it on display in the room last week.
Advocates like Linda Kaufman (Community Solutions), Richard Cho (U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness), and Kristy Greenwalt (DC ICH Executive Director) delivered powerful speeches. When they had finished, everyone in the room had their marching orders, and the goal looked more achievable than ever.
Last year, D.C. signed on to First Lady Michelle Obama's Mayoral Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness, an indication of local commitment to solve this issue. For many in the country, the failure to address homelessness is regarded as "immoral."
Greenwalt reminded the audience that Mayor Muriel Bowser remains fully committed to ending veteran homelessness in Washington and referenced the recent increase in D.C.'s homeless services budget.
Additionally, the Department of Veterans Affairs is spending an extra $1 million on rapid rehousing in the city this year.
Veterans Now DC is not just about motivating people. It has also developed a systematic approach to identifying individual needs among veterans and new ways to meet these needs.
Using powerful assessment tools, like VI-SPDAT,* and drawing from the new virtual Coordinated Entry System for single adults, the group has been able to determine that just three in 10 veterans need permanent supportive housing, while five in 10 need only rapid rehousing services, a shorter and less costly intervention. The remaining two in 10 veterans typically receive general housing help from the city and mainstream resources, which do not include services.
The group also works on the proven assumption that many veterans experiencing financial challenges manage to find housing on their own, taking pressure off the system from the onset.
Of the close to 1,300 veterans the group originally identified, an estimated 380 are currently still unhoused, which means the next six months will be crucial if D.C. is to beat Chicago in the race to end veteran homelessness.
Both challengers acknowledge the other city's strengths on the system and resource sides. And both have great momentum and highly energized advocates. The race is likely to heat up even more in the fall, as the year-end deadline approaches.
Of course, D.C. advocates are not really hoping that Chicago runs out of "wind," but some of them wouldn't mind beating the Windy City, even if only by a day.
Wishing fair winds to both teams, I'm amazed by the results being brought about by these new ways of energizing systems in homeless services. We're certainly trending on the ground all over the country as we build these initiatives to end homelessness everywhere and for everybody in the U.S.
*Vulnerability Index & Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.