UWNEMN purchases home for single veterans
The Hibbing Daily TribuneMay 06, 2018
And since the inception of its United for Veterans program in 2014, the
But those efforts, such as putting up veterans in hotel rooms for a few nights, have only been short-term solutions.
Now, after a year of searching for "the right place," the UWNEMN has purchased a four-bedroom, three-bathroom home in
A community open house will be held at from
The house has been made possible thanks to "an exciting partnership" with the
MACV's ultimate mission is to end homelessness for veterans in
The UWNEMN has a "deep-rooted relationship" with MACV, said
MACV - which maintains 11 structured transitional housing units for veterans, and 22 units of permanent housing with supportive services for disabled veterans in
MACV assures that the homes are clean, safe and drug-free, and provides numerous support services - coordinating chemical dependency and mental health treatment, crisis intervention, life skills training, educational and employment initiatives, family support, transportation, money management training and counseling, and re-establishment of socialization skills.
Along with the UWNEMN and its United for Veterans initiative, which fills in gaps in services for area vets, other community entities such as the
The goal is for veterans to obtain and retain permanent housing. While "it's a 24-month program" and residents can live at the transitional home for up to two years, Beichler said, most veterans attain stability through those services and transition to their own housing in about six to nine months.
UWNEMN purchased the house in
"UWNEMN has been writing area foundations for donations to offset the purchase price and cost of repairs," Shay said, explaining that house, which was "flipped," required
Providers include the Hibbing VA Clinic, County Veteran Service office, a veterans higher education coordinator at
Additionally, the
Since word has been out about United for Veterans,
However, UWNEMN had limited resources for providing crisis housing for those veterans, who need more stability and assistance than what three nights in a hotel can offer, she said.
"We knew that MACV was the expert when it came to housing and case management services. They have a long-standing positive reputation throughout the state."
MACV served 108 veterans and their families in northeastern
There are some individuals and families who are "in imminent risk of losing housing," meaning within the next two weeks, and at least one veteran will be placed in the house as soon as it's ready, he said.
Many homeless veterans suffer from mental illness or dependency issues that are "possible symptoms of their military service," Beichler said.
A past history of chemical dependency, alcohol abuse, and legal or transportation issues and difficulty finding a livable wage are also often contributing factors.
"We provide a place that is a step forward" by working with veterans on such things as stabilizing their environment, reducing their debt load, improving their rental history and obtaining sustainable employment that will provide for permanent housing.
MACV strives to build "positively motived veterans," he said. "Often a transitional housing option is a necessary step on a veteran's path to a long-term sustainable housing situation."
Veterans living at the
The home is also registered under the charity sections at both Target and
UWNEMN is additionally accessing its own
Any extra donations will be used to put together "essential care packages" of such things as bedding and hygiene products for veterans as they transition into housing of their own.
"MACV's mission of ending veteran homelessness in
"We are ready to move forward and start placing veterans" at the
Community volunteers will be working to clean and landscape the house
"We are really excited for this opportunity to help area veterans," she said.
Beichler agreed. "We look forward maintaining long-lasting relationships with our partners. The community will have a major role in this, including employers" and educational facilities.
UWNEMN and MACV are open to the possibility of exploring additional homes for the area, Shay said. "We've already had community members asking us if and when we plan to open a home for veterans who have families."
That will definitely be considered in the future, she said.
"This is a success story for the