SAMHSA: SSA Benefits Can Help End Veteran Homelessness








October 21, 2014    
ISSUES  |  POLICY  |  SOLUTIONS  |  NEWS & EVENTS Forward Editor: Emanuel Cavallaro


Spotlight On...
SAMHSA: SSA Benefits Can Help End Veteran Homelessness


The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released a brief explaining the impact that connecting veterans to Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits can have on veteran homelessness. According to the brief, "Connecting Veterans to Social Security Disability Benefits: A Key Component in Ending Veteran Homelessness," providing outreach to veterans about SSA benefits and assisting them with the application process can increase their incomes and housing stability. Improving access to mainstream benefit programs such as SSA is one of the objectives outlined in Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness.





On Monday, Nov. 3, at 12 p.m. ET, the Alliance will host a webinar on the basics of how to plan and implement the unsheltered Point-in-Time (PIT) Count. During the webinar, "Prepare for the 2015 Point-In-Time Count: Unsheltered Count 101," William Snow of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will provide guidance on federal regulations, and leaders from the Continuums of Care (CoCs) in Las Vegas and Winston-Salem, N.C., will share their most effective unsheltered PIT Count strategies.
Research has shown that homeless youth are disproportionately involved in illegal activities as compared to housed youth. In this post, we look at the few studies that explore the risk factors that lead homeless youth to the criminal justice system.
Two Steps We Must Take to End Youth Homelessness
By Sharon McDonald
In recognition of the 40th anniversary of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA), the Alliance reposted this blog post on the two key priority areas that we must address if we are to set the nation's course toward ending youth homelessness.
Rapid Re-Housing Is Not an Anti-Poverty Program
By Stuart Campbell
In this post, the Alliance's rapid re-housing expert elaborates on a statement he makes during rapid re-housing trainings that often takes people in his audience by surprise: rapid re-housing is not an anti-poverty program, it is an anti-homelessness program.

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