Backup Documents 09/24/2019 Item # 5AVETSCOUNT2019
Collier County Commissioners Update
Homelessness Veteran Count in Collier County
September 24, 2019
•Wounded Warrior's of Collier County
•Collier County Sheriffs Department
•Hunger & Homeless Coalition
•St Matthews House
•Vet Center –VA
•Veteran Services Office Collier County
•Emergency Medical Services
•Del Web Veterans Club
•First Baptist Church Naples
•St John Evangelist –Knights of Columbus
•David Lawrence Center
•Gulf Coast Veterans and Friends
•JFCS–Veteran
•Ave Maria School of Law –Veterans
•Veteran & Non-Veteran Volunteers
•Gold Star Moms
•Home Base
Homeless Veteran Count conducted in Collier County
•July 22 & 29
•65 Volunteers Canvassed the County
•17 Local Organizations –Veteran, Charities, & Churches
•Located 48 “Self Reported” Homeless Veterans
•Passed Out Back Packs & Resource Information
Purpose
•Based on last years “Point in Time” count, Collier County does not have a homeless Veteran
problem –Per the Veterans Administration office that serves Collier County
•The 2019 January PIT Count listed 11 homeless Veterans of which 3 were sheltered in St Matthews House
•There is no housing available for Veterans who are homeless and need mental health &
treatment services in Collier County
•#1 issue for the David Lawrence Center & Veterans Treatment Court
•Veterans Administration will not provide any HUD VASH money or other housing financial
resources
•Our Veteran Count volunteers will participate in the next PIT count –January 2020
•Count data will be used to support VA housing programs & other grants available
•Meantime we are validating the list of “ Self Reported” Veterans through the VA
•Numerous Veterans are already receiving support –Keep them on the “Radar”
•Housing –WWOCC ( 3 beds only) immediate need for more
•Dental Services –Priority is Emergency Treatment
•Military Records Veterans Service Office in CC (DD214)
•Community Awareness –Public, Organizations, Public Officials, & The Community Foundation
Next Steps
Words from a Homeless Veteran –VetsCount2019
“Wounded Warriors of Collier County has been an absolute godsend!
After being discharged from the Navy, I returned to the civilian world
utterly clueless about how to be a civilian. This resulted in nearly a
decade of drug addiction, incarceration, and homelessness. The
program has given me a fresh start in an extremely positive
environment that I never would have been able to acquire on my own.
Now I'm learning how to thrive on a daily basis and accomplish the
everyday victory that seems to come so naturally to others. I truly
cannot thank Dale and Wounded Warriors of Collier County enough!”
Note: This Veteran is currently living in one of 3 beds provided by our local charity –WWOCC