New York Veteran's Story - VA Homeless Programs
Attention A T users. To access the menus on this page please perform the following steps. 1. Please switch auto forms mode to off. 2. Hit enter to expand a main menu option (Health, Benefits, etc). 3. To enter and activate the submenu links, hit the down arrow. You will now be able to tab or arrow up or down through the submenu options to access/activate the submenu links.
Attention A T users. To access the combo box on this page please perform the following steps. 1. Press the alt key and then the down arrow. 2. Use the up and down arrows to navigate this combo box. 3. Press enter on the item you wish to view. This will take you to the page listed.
Menu
Menu
help for homeless veterans

Stay Connected with the VHA Homeless Programs Office

Sign up for email updates.

Subscribe
E-Donate
Veterans Crisis Line Badge

VA Homeless Programs

 

New York Veteran's Story

A Veteran Success Story in Ending Veteran Homelessness

Jump to Success Stories Involving:

Peer Support Opens Doors to Housing and Treatment
A New York Veteran's Story  |  Oct. 23, 2015

The Challenge

Like other Veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom, this New York City man returned from multiple tours of duty with severe combat trauma. His situation led to a dependency on opioids and benzodiazepine. Although he detoxed multiple times at the emergency room, his undiagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) contributed to a hesitancy to enter a longer term treatment program. His problems compounded, and he faced chronic homelessness. The Veteran needed help, but first needed to trust in the available system of care.

The Fix

Enter the HUD-VASH Housing First Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team, part of the VA New York Harbor Health Care System.

The team first convinced the Veteran to apply for a Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) voucher to stabilize his housing situation. Then the team’s peer-support specialist worked to earn his trust and open the door to treatment options. A breakthrough came when the specialist discovered the Veteran’s desire to apply for a service-connected claim through a psychiatrist at another facility. By knowing the Veteran’s preference for care, the specialist found an opening to engage with him about the destabilizing and near-lethal effect of his drug use. Ultimately the team successfully encouraged the Veteran to accept a referral to the VA Medical Center Monroe Campus for inpatient residential rehabilitation services.

The Result

The Veteran is now three months into his recovery. Since completing the rehab program, he graduated from the Montrose PTSD and Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) programs. Through the support of these programs, he is learning how to cope with the effects of PTSD and using the HUD-VASH voucher to exit homelessness.

Back to Success Stories Home

cell phone icon

Make the Call

Dial 1-877-4AID-VET
(1-877-424-3838)

Access VA’s services for homeless and at-risk Veterans, available 24/7.

chat bubble icon

Chat Online

Homeless Veteran Chat

Confidential, 24/7 online support for Veterans and friends

Chat Now

cell phone icon

VA Medical Center
(VAMC) Locator

Locate Your Local
VA Medical Center Now

Veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness can call or visit their local VA Medical Center (VAMC) and ask for a Homeless Coordinator. Use the VA locator tool www.va.gov/directory to find your nearest VAMC and call or visit today.

return to top go