New Aurora home gives veterans a lift

[bobbolink]

NOTE.... this is for veterans with a "dual diagnosis" ---meaning, they have both a "mental illness" (usually in vets this is PTSD), and a substance abuse issue. I bring this to your attention because there are still so many who cling to the erroneous idea that MOST homeless people are either "mentally ill" or substance abusers. The one portion of the homeless population with a high concentration of those issues is Veterans. This needs to be kept in mind.

Also, it has been shown that it is not only more cost effective to house people with these issues, but is certainly more effective. I know nothing about this home besides what is in this article (which is worth reading in full), but it does sound like a step in the right direction... giving them a reasonable amount of time, and a home atmosphere.
New Aurora home gives veterans a lift

By Joey Kirchmer
Denver PostYourHub.com
Posted: 11/08/2010 01:00:00 AM MST

Veterans Curtis Riner, right, and Michael George, talk and check on dinner last week at Aurora Veterans Home. (YOUR HUB | KRISTIN MORIN)

(edit)

Those who qualify for the transitional housing program are allowed to stay up to two years as they seek employment, apply for college or attempt to find a permanent home, said Shannon Mulcahy, program manager for the Aurora Veterans Home.

Located in northwest Aurora, the veterans home caters to a "dual-diagnosis" population — specifically men who suffer from both mental-health and substance-abuse issues, Mulcahy said.

(edit)
Army veteran Robert Stover, who struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder, has been staying at the Aurora Veterans Home for six months. The facility, a renovated duplex in a residential neighborhood, is far better than some of the other homeless shelters where he has stayed, he said, including the Denver Rescue Mission.

(edit)
"This is a model program because everybody needs to be able to call a place home," George said. "We get a TV; we can do our own cooking. It's just beautiful, man. And we've got a camaraderie here. We're all military. We all have that common thread."


Vietnam veteran Curtis Riner pets lab mix Rome last week at Aurora Veterans Home. (YOUR HUB | KRISTIN MORIN)
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_16551948

[whathehell]

1. K & R. We need a lot more of these

and not just for those with mental and or substance abuse issues.

The idea of veterans beling left on the streets is absolutely appalling.

[bobbolink]

3. It is appalling for *anyone* to be on the streets in the richest country in the world!

And those who aren't "mentally ill" or substance addicted do NOT need group homes!

[whathehell]

4. I'm not denying that...I simply think it's DOUBLY appalling to treat those

who have risked their lives for their country this way.

As for your other comment..OK...They don't need "group homes".

What are you suggesting, then?

[bobbolink]

5. Housing. For. All.

[whathehell]

6. I agree..

I was just trying to address a nearer and more likely future.

[bobbolink]

8. It will get nearer as more people push for it.

By building ever more "shelters", it pushes real housing further away.

[Odin2005]

12. It should be a Right.

[w8liftinglady]

2. I am Grateful for your posting of this.

as the wars continue,the problem will continue to escalate,unless we intervene.
We must intervene where we can.
thanks,Bobbolink.

[Catherina]

7. Thanks. Rec'd n/t

[white cloud]

9. Thanks also

k&R

[maryf]

10. Kick...

good find, Bobbie!

[Odin2005]

11. That is is very cool!

[TheKentuckian]

13. Nice step. We need transition assistance at a bare minimum all around

I bet hundreds of thousands, if not millions would be able to get off the streets with a deposit and first month along with a government guarantee on the lease and millions more with a job program attached.

There are things we can do that aren't even that much money to keep people in homes if we would be serious in attacking the issue and we attack it from a variety of angles to suit each person's reason(s) for being homeless instead of generally pretending all these people have substance or mental issues or more precisely that was why they got there.

No question a person might get edgy or want to even out a shitty situation.

It is also kind of sick that we think it is acceptable for such people to be cast away in such a fashion.
Our excuse for homelessness is pretty fucking sick in the head but I guess the truth is worse-that they just want to bottom out the market. There has to be shortage or the prices don't climb enough for some folks taste so scarcity is introduced despite there being more than enough housing for everyone.

Homelessness is not being solved because it is an intentional part of the design of the market. Even allowing everyone a tent, a fire pit, and a shared portapot lowers the price point on a studio or a rented rome and the domino effect goes up and down the market.

As usual, its the capitalism.

[Skittles]

14. Dallas has a good experiment going

http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2010/jun/01/part-homeless-solution-dallas-may-be-evergreen/