BOSTON, MA — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced today a pioneering initiative aimed at eradicating veteran homelessness across Massachusetts. The $20 million End Veteran Homelessness campaign represents the state’s most substantial investment dedicated to this cause, marking a significant step towards supporting veterans in need.
Unveiled at the New England Center and Home for Veterans in Boston, this initiative is a collaborative effort involving state, federal, local, and veteran-serving organizations. It focuses on providing supportive housing, access to behavioral health services, capital investments for veteran housing, and technical assistance to community providers, embodying a comprehensive approach to tackling veteran homelessness.
Massachusetts aims to achieve a “functional zero” level of veteran homelessness, ensuring a system where homelessness is rare, brief, and non-recurring. Cities and counties such as New Bedford, Lowell, and Lynn have already reached this milestone, setting a precedent for the statewide campaign.
Governor Maura Healey expressed her commitment to making Massachusetts a national leader in veterans services, emphasizing the importance of providing every veteran in the state with a safe and stable place to call home. Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, echoing Healey’s sentiments, highlighted the campaign’s role in fulfilling a promise to veterans that they will not be forgotten or left behind.
The campaign is structured around five pillars, including the Homelessness Outreach to Placement Effort (HOPE), which engages directly with homeless veterans to facilitate their placement into stable housing. Additionally, the initiative will see capital investments in affordable housing for veterans and the allocation of funds to support service providers offering assistance to veterans experiencing housing instability.
An End Veteran Homelessness Advisory Council, comprising stakeholders from various sectors, will provide guidance to achieve the campaign’s goals. Furthermore, the initiative aims to empower veteran service providers through opportunities for technical assistance, thereby enhancing their capacity to support the veteran community effectively.
Massachusetts, where veterans constitute three percent of the homeless population, currently has approximately 500-600 veterans experiencing homelessness. This campaign, funded by $20 million in ARPA funds allocated by the Massachusetts Legislature in 2021, seeks to address the multifaceted challenges faced by homeless veterans, including mental health and substance use issues.
This comprehensive initiative underscores Massachusetts’ dedication to honoring and supporting its veterans, paving the way for a future where veteran homelessness is a thing of the past.