Boot Camp Held to Help Homeless Veterans in Westchester County

A boot camp to make the process for housing homeless Westchester County veterans easier began Tuesday and goes through Thursday in Philadelphia.

There were 4,961 homeless veterans living in the New York area in 2012, 223 of whom lived in Yonkers, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle and Westchester County, according to a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs press release.

There were more than 62,000 homeless veterans on one night in January 2012, a 17.2 percent decrease since 2009, according to the 2012 Annual Homeless Assessment Report Point-in-Time, cited in the release.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs senior officials will be teaching people who work with homeless veterans in Westchester County strategies to get the veterans housing and supportive services for various health care, substance abuse and employment at the Rapid Results Housing Boot Camp.

There will also be goals set and additional resources discussed to further motivate those who can help to help effectively.

Lisa Pape, the national director of homeless programs for Veterans Health Administration, said the boot camps are generally effective.

“Rapid Results Housing Boot Camps have decreased the length of time it takes to get Veterans who are homeless into housing and provide them with the services they need in numerous cities around the country,” Pape said in a released statement. “The boot camp will give these communities the necessary tools and leadership guidance they need to help get Veterans back on their feet.” 

There will also be business management strategies taught to decrease the number of days needed to process shelter applications, improve the way housing services are delivered and increase access to emergency services for homeless veterans, according to the release.

To find out how you can help a veteran who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, call 877-4AID-VET.