Veterans Housing Services - Housing Stabilization Program

Phillip Allen (Center) Veterans Housing Services Coordinator and Robert (Bobby) Marcotte (Right) Housing Residential Specialist from Preble St Veterans Housing Services were our speakers on August 11.

 

             

 

Preble Street Veterans Housing Services is a housing stabilization program funded by the Veterans Administration. A collaborative effort between Preble Street and Pine Tree legal Assistance, VHS offers case management, housing search assistance, budget counseling, and financial assistance to eligible Veterans and Veterans’ families throughout Maine with offices in Bangor, Lewiston and Portland.

 

The Federal Government has recognized that there has been an upsurge of veterans that are homeless or who are at risk of homelessness. Currently, 15 case managers from this agency engage long-term with veterans offering support various levels of support in Maine. They link vets to services such as food stamps, housing vouchers and VA services.  They provide financial assistance such as rent deposits, arrearage payments, moving and storage expenses, and arranging child care with the ultimate goal of keeping veterans in current housing or securing safe and stable housing where they can receive mail, provide an address to employers, and have access to public transportation.

 

As the housing specialist, Bobby acts as liaison and mediator between the case manager and landlord. He keeps abreast of housing vacancies and short wait list properties.  He is a resource to both the case management and the landlord and works to prevent evictions.

 

Since October 2011, VHS of Maine has assisted over 1000 veterans.   A $1.7M grant has been available annually for four years, and based upon their success, they are expecting a 3 year extension.