More veterans facing homelessness

Vets facing eviction have options

COEUR d’ALENE — In May, while the whole word was shut down from COVID-19, Goodwill Industries of the Inland Northwest’s Supportive Services for Veteran Families program received an additional $1.6 million to provide rental assistance and emergency housing support to area veterans impacted by COVID-19.

The SSVF program added more staff to help meet the need for additional services. The program has seen a dramatic increase in the need for services since COVID-19 hit our region in late March.

“We usually see around 20 enrollments a month, but we had almost 40 in May,” said Braden Fish, general manager for Homeless Transition Services at Goodwill.

The SSVF program saw five new enrollments on the first day of June alone.

Larry Riley, executive director of St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho, said he has been coordinating with other agencies to help veterans.

He said veterans who are at risk of homelessness take priority in St. Vincent’s Homeless Connect database.

“Our screening and assessments are established to make sure veterans’ needs are met as quickly as possible by making them a priority,” he wrote.

St. Vincent’s also works in collaboration with a lot of other organizations through benevolence funding to make sure vet needs are being met.

Veterans are facing some big hurdles right now because of COVID-19. Like many people, veterans are losing their jobs and are unable to pay rent as a result. They are living paycheck to paycheck. And while evictions are mandated on-hold for the moment, those will come eventually.

“The additional CARES funding we received allows SSVF to help veterans who are behind on their rent and out of work to get caught up, and avoid becoming homeless,” Fish said.

The SSVF program recently added to employment specialists who can assist veterans who are unemployed to find work.

Availability of affordable housing is even more limited than usual, program staff say, mainly because evictions are on hold. One veteran recently went to apply for a one-bedroom apartment and was told there was nothing available until July.

To keep vets from living on the streets, SSVF can place eligible veterans into transitional or emergency housing, such as a hotel, until more permanent units become available.

“This funding comes at a critical time for veterans who are in shelters, on the street, or at-risk of becoming evicted,” said Michele Harris, vice president of Workforce & Family Services.

Veterans who need help in Kootenai, Bonner, Shoshone, Benewah, and Boundary counties should call the 24-hour veteran hotline 509-828-2449.