Housing Homeless Male and Female Veterans

Hahnville, LA, December 25, 2013 --(PR.com)-- Tulane University Graduate, Lisa Carey of Veterans Housing Outreach Ministries and New Orleans Saints Safety Roman Harper of Harper Hope 41 Foundation has proposed housing homeless veterans who are disabled, elderly or mentally ill in Orleans, Jefferson and St. Charles Parishes, this winter due to the cold weather conditions and the prediction of colder nights this holiday.

Veterans Housing Outreach Ministries started out by giving blankets and donuts to homeless residents in New Orleans and eventually passed out food. Now, they want to help the veterans find a home and get back on their feet.

"It is so cold outside and we see these homeless veterans and the elderly pushing their carts or wheelchairs around," Lisa Carey, an outreach worker with the organization, said. "We want to help them find safe community-based affordable housing and get out of the cold."

Carey said, “The ministry has already found locations in Orleans, Jefferson and St. Charles Parish to house the homeless that includes a small apartment complex and two single family houses.” “Public transportation is also nearby the site as well as doctor’s offices, shopping and drugstores,” Carey said.

"We have found that rural communities are more accommodating because people in those communities tend to care more and look out for others," she said. "This would be a better life for these people than being thrown aside on sidewalks in the city."

Carey said, "Two or three people would live in each apartment or house and split the cost of rent and utilities.” She believes there is room for about 50 people between the sites.

"If rent is $1000, then they can split it two or three ways so that they can afford it," she said. "We can also help them get jobs so that they can increase their income."

“Most of the homeless residents that would be housed are receiving some kind of federal assistance already," Carey said, "but their checks are too small to cover housing and utilities on their own."

"But if they combine those checks, they could afford it," she added.

“The St. Charles Parish location was also an attractive one to the organization because it offers door to door bus service.”

"The bus service is important because it will help them get around town," Carey said.

Veterans Homeless Housing Outreach Ministries began moving veterans to Orleans, Jefferson and St. Charles Parish last month.

"We are looking for decent, clean people who need a break and will get a job to make a better life for themselves," Carey said.

To determine that, the group will perform background checks and get in touch with family members for a history of the perspective tenants.

Anyone interested in the program may contact Lisa Carey at (504) 340-3429