Houston Housing Authority Leading Unprecedented Community-Wide Effort to House Houston’s Heroes

Houston, TX, September 13, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Heroes who once risked their lives to defend their country but now are homeless will get much needed assistance from an unprecedented, community-wide effort to house chronically homeless military veterans with disabilities.

The Houston Housing Authority and the VA teamed with organizations ranging from Harris County Community Services to SEARCH to develop a bold plan to find homes, social services and jobs for veterans who are in danger of dying in Houston’s streets. In the first 100 days of the intensive effort, 101 chronically homeless individuals now have a place to call home. HHA is working closely with the City of Houston, Harris County, federal agencies and community organizations across the Greater Houston area to provide affordable homes, social services and job assistance to veterans with disabilities who have been continuously homeless for more than a year.

“These brave men and women served our country, and now their lives are at risk on the same streets that thousands of us drive by every day,” said Houston Housing Authority President & CEO Tory Gunsolley. “We cut through all the red tape and brought together all of the resources available from all of the numerous partners to help these veterans find safe, affordable homes and a fresh start.”

Experts estimate there are nearly 2,000 veterans who are homeless in the Greater Houston area. The Houston Housing Authority is working with community organizations to help secure a permanent home, job training and job placement, healthcare to treat mental and health disabilities and other support services for chronically homeless individuals as part of an intensive plan to help Houston’s heroes.

Other organizations participating in the unprecedented effort include the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the City of Houston’s Office of Veteran Affairs, U.S. Department of Housing and Community Development, Harris County Housing Authority, Harris County Community Services Department, SEARCH, the Housing Corporation, Career and Recovery Resources, Inc., Catholic Charities, Goodwill Industries, Neighborhood Centers, Inc., US Vets, Cloudbreak Communities, Healthcare for the Homeless, Mental Health and Mental Retardation Authority, the Houston Police Department and the Houston Coalition for the Homeless.

Other organizations or individuals interested in helping Houston’s heroes can contact Jessica Preheim, Houston Housing Authority program manager for homeless and housing initiatives, at 713-260-0722.