Bay Pines VA Puts Veterans on Path to Permanent Housing with Surge Event

The organization met with 18 Veterans during the event. 

“Our commitment to helping Veterans receive permanent housing is essential to their overall health care,” said Bay Pines VA Chief of Homeless Programs, Yvonne Morales. “We’re proud that Veterans are stepping forward to allow us to help, and we will continue this effort to ensure that every Veteran has a safe and stable place to call home.”

Since January 2022, Bay Pines VA has celebrated 1,377 Veterans moving into to permanent residences. Last year, the team helped the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs exceed its goal, with 630 Veterans permanently housed, and this year, the team added another 747 Veterans to the list – an increase of 18.5 percent.

“Our team has 97 staff across our catchment area who are unwavering champions of Veterans and work tirelessly to put them on a path to permanent housing,” added Morales. “These social workers, peer support personnel, and housing specialists are game changers for Veterans, and I’m so proud to work alongside such a dedicated group of professionals.”

While Morales and her team have made a huge impact across southwest Florida, she offered that everyone on her team understands there’s a bigger goal.

“We estimate there are approximately 1,000 Veterans who are without homes in our catchment area,” continued Morales. “We refuse to stop until everyone of them receives permanent housing.”

The team’s mission continues in 2024 with support to Pinellas County on January 25. Then, in the spring, the homeless Veteran team hosts the Annual Bay Pines VA Stand Down in the Veterans Courtyard, at C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center. Details on dates and times will be announced in January 2024. 

Information on how local Veterans can receive services and support is available by calling the Bay Pines VA Homeless Walk-in Clinic at 727-398-6661, ext. 17616 or the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877- 4AID-VET.