Provide crisis intervention and support to homeless and at-risk veterans

MACV is an 18 year-old non-profit social services organization that exclusively serves veterans in crisis and veterans experiencing homelessness. MACV serves veterans statewide, providing emergency services, housing, employment assistance, and civil legal services through three regional offices in the Twin Cities, Duluth and Mankato. Supportive services for all MACV programs provide for and coordinate chemical dependency and mental health treatment, crisis intervention during acute emotional and/or physical distress, educational services, family support, transportation, money management training and/or counseling, re-establishment of socialization skills, training to increase basic living skills and/or income to prepare for obtaining and retaining permanent housing.

MACV does not duplicate services already provided or available to veterans through Federal, State or County benefits; rather, MACV frequently acts as a resource or liaison between government agencies and other service providers to ensure direct, comprehensive services are provided to the veteran. Each month more than 1,000 inquiries and requests are made to MACV across the state. Last year, MACV provided comprehensive services to 837 veterans and their families.

Homelessness in Minnesota

“Although flawless counts are impossible to come by – the transient nature of homeless populations presents a major difficulty – the VA estimates that [nationwide] 107,000 veterans are homeless on any given night. Over the course of a year, approximately twice that many experience homelessness. Only eight percent of the general population can claim veteran status, but nearly one-fifth of the homeless population are veterans.” (National Coalition for Homeless Veterans). Based on a survey in October 2009, Wilder Research reported that there were nearly 700 homeless military veterans in Minnesota on a single night. Of this group, 44% report a service-related health problem and 26% have served in a combat zone, up 12% from the 2006 survey. Many veterans struggle throughout the year with unemployment, health care insurance, rising housing costs, mortgage foreclosure, utility bills, and legal issues, edging them toward homelessness.

Julie is a 37-year-old Air Force Disabled Veteran, and a single mom, who was referred to MACV by a County Veterans Service Officer. Julie suffers from herniated/degenerative discs, anxiety and depression. She was scheduled for a court hearing to evict her and her 3 children from her apartment because she couldn’t pay rent. MACV contacted the landlord and entered her family into the Continuum of Care Transitional Housing Program. MACV is currently helping her family with monthly rent payments. MACV also assisted Julie in applying for utilities assistance, which she is now receiving. As a result, Julie and her family have been able to avoid becoming homeless.

Julie is now awaiting approval of VA Vocational Rehabilitation assistance, which will increase her monthly income. She is making great strides in improving her family’s situation. MACV will continue to case manage this family until they are fully stabilized.

MACV is committed to setting a national standard of excellence for caring for and working with veterans who are threatened with or experiencing homelessness. With more and more veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan to face the unimaginable challenges associated with reuniting with family, friends and the community, MACV’s services are needed now more than ever before.