Our soldiers sacrificed it all while serving to protect our nation’s freedom. Sadly, men and women who proudly served our country in the military returned to find themselves without a home or are vulnerable to losing the home they had. Unfortunately, our country has turned a deaf ear to their cry for help.

To help low-income veterans who may face homelessness is a well-recognized goal, but solutions for permanent veteran housing are not. Veterans who navigate the Veterans Administration (VA) system can recover from the threat of homelessness but need our assistance. This Hidden Wounds Project is a unique approach in South Carolina. It is a testament to our community’s commitment to our veterans, and your support is crucial in making it successful.

Funding for emergency and transitional housing is available, but a crisis for permanent housing exists.

• Emergency housing gets veterans immediate assistance.
  • A minimal accommodations group setting
  • Waiting to establish veteran’s access to VA benefit entitlements
  • A dedicated caseworker manages veteran services
• Transitional housing prepares vets to live independently
  •  Utilize the skills and knowledge attained through the VA
  • Caseworker remains involved
• Permanent housing is independent living long term
  • Caseworker remains involved
• Issues with the available permanent structures 
  • High rental prices
  • Vouchers do not cover the rental shortfall
  • Lack of suitable housing
  • Often, the vet is placed in the only accommodation available that is neither safe nor appropriate to sustain the progress already achieved.
  • Without a permanent housing solution, homelessness is likely.

On the battlefield, servicemembers never left another behind. We cannot leave our veterans behind in this desperate housing crisis.

Solution

VAlanthropy (philanthropy for Veterans), with resources from the VA, local housing authority, and the generous help of our donor partners, businesses, Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs), and foundations, will work to help relieve some veteran homelessness by increasing the inventory of permanent veteran housing. We will purchase, develop, construct, manage and own stable, safe, affordable homes and apartment communities in which veterans will be proud to live.

Phase one is underway. Our directors, who receive no compensation, purchased our first two-bedroom, 2 ½ bath home near the Dorn VA Medical Center. In February, a female veteran with two children will occupy the first of what we hope will be many more such homes. Our phase one goal is to continue to buy or build 1–3-bedroom homes.

Phase Two: Three-Prong Approach

The Hidden Wounds Project will establish a collaboration between VAlanthropy and Hidden Wounds, both 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofits. This partnership is crucial in our mission to provide twelve sustainable, high-quality one-bedroom apartments for low-income veterans in Sumter, South Carolina, who may otherwise face homelessness.

Desirable, affordable housing is a critical component, but housing alone will not keep veterans from returning to unhealthy relationships and undesirable living conditions. Access to supportive services is also critical. An all-veteran community of like-minded veterans who share the same experience completes this successful, proven model.

I HOUSING

VAlanthropy will construct an all-veteran apartment village where veterans can thrive, living among other veterans with similar experiences.

The site in Sumter, SC, is perfect for this venture. It is adjacent to the Hidden Wounds Resource Center, a USO-like facility that provides supportive services, such as case management, counseling, community engagement, job training, and a crisis/suicide intervention hotline. It is also near the Veterans Administration (VA) and the Department of Mental Health (DMH), grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, shopping, banking, and transportation. This location gives veterans access to all the resources needed to stay on track, be productive, and live independently.

II SUPPORTIVE SERVICES

When construction is completed and the tenants have been assigned, Hidden Wounds will assume the property management role, handling the day-to-day property issues. Years of successful experience have created lasting relationships with the VA and DMH to provide our residents with free counseling and needed case management from these institutions and the Hidden Wounds staff.

Other Hidden Wounds services available to our residents include:

• 24-hour Crisis/Suicide Hotline staffed with experts trained to recognize issues and deal with intervention
• Food Bank supporting veterans and their families each month
• Lounges and TV areas where veterans can gather to view sporting events and fraternize with like-minded individuals sharing similar experiences
• Pantry for snacks and beverages
• Free computer access and internet
• Fully equipped Gym
• Group meeting space
• Transportation
• Private rooms where Hidden Wounds, VA, and DMH counselors conduct free individual counseling, case management, and preemptive interventions.

III VETERAN COMMUNITY

The proven model’s third component is the ability to bond with and share experiences in a structured community with other veterans. These essential components keep the veterans on track to overcome the emotional and physical trauma that brings them to the point of homelessness while living independently in security and safety.

 

Phase three: Will expand the program to other locations locally and nationally based on the need in those areas with high low-income veteran populations that may be on the brink of homelessness.

VAlanthropy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that does not pay state or federal taxes, 100% of donations are used to fund the program and are tax-exempt. Therefore, we can provide a safe, permanent, stable environment and keep rents low.

Tom Lash
P.O. Box 5230,
Columbia, SC 29205
214.244.3879
tom@valanthropy.org

Fred Altman
P.O. Box 5230,
Columbia, SC 29205
803.414.4352
fred@valanthropy.org