Photo Courtesy of Olga Alvarez
Above, from left, are Victor Carlson, chief of homeless services for the VA NJ Health Care System; HUD New Jersey Field Office Director Maria Maio-Messano; Julie Irwin, VA Homeless Care Line manager for the NY/NJ Veterans Integrated Service Network; Maplewood Mayor Vic DeLuca; Brick Mayor John Ducey; South Orange Village President Sheena Collum; and Elisha Harig-Blaine, National League of Cities principal housing associate for Veterans & Special Needs.
MAPLEWOOD/SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development New Jersey Field Office hosted a day of informational panels geared toward highlighting resources available to the New Jersey mayors and elected officials who have committed to the Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness. The event took place at the Lyons VA Medical Center on Aug. 18. Participants included Maplewood Mayor Vic DeLuca and South Orange President Sheena Collum.
The Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness is a White House initiative that aims to eliminate homelessness in the country by the end of this year. It asks U.S. mayors to commit to the Mayors Challenge and use available resources such as HUD-VASH housing vouchers; and work with local Continuums of Care, nonprofits and advocates to find permanent housing for veterans in need.
The day-long session featured remarks from HUD New Jersey Field Office Director Maria Maio-Messano; Veterans Affairs Homeless Care Line manager for VISN III Julie Irwin; and Elisha Harig-Blaine, principal housing associate for the National League of Cities. Three panels highlighted resources and best practices using HUD and VA programs, nonprofits and advocacy organizations.
One of the highlights of the event were the testimonies of two previously homeless veterans who were able to access HUD-VASH housing vouchers, that come with supportive services such as counseling and medicals services. Homeless veterans who qualify apply at the Lyons campus of the VA Medical Center.