I want to address the issue of Maine’s veteran homelessness and their emergency needs in the next few articles. I am sure most readers know about Ed Harmon’s Maine Veterans Emergency Temporary Shelter (V.E.T.S.) program. Ed and his team are doing a great job addressing the need to get homeless veterans temporary shelter. The need is evident by the fact that he does not have enough trailers to meet the need and he is making a huge effort to increase his production capabilities. While V.E.T.S. addresses a critical need, there is much more that needs to be done to get veterans in need stabilized and on the path to be independent once again.

There are a number of government and non-government agencies that address the needs of homeless veterans. Most non-government agencies are funded by state or federal grants which creates problems in addressing the urgent needs of the veteran. First, government grants come with restrictions and with a process that takes time. Government grants are also time limited and the terms of those grants frequently change. Most, if not all, of the grants require the veteran to have their discharge document, the DD 214 (how many homeless veterans carry that around?). Another problem is that there are so many programs addressing veterans in need, how does a veteran even know where they are? Add to that the organizations that manage these grants are only open during normal business hours.

There are organizations that do coordinate the efforts of their members, such as the Maine Homeless Veteran Action Committee (MHVAC). MHVAC is made up agencies and non-profits working to improve Maine's system addressing homelessness amongst veterans. One flaw, however, is that these committees do not provide direct support to the veterans. While those organizations that are on the committee do, they are also the ones with the government grants and are open only during normal working hours. Those of us who are dealing directly with veterans in need, have been frustrated with the process. In response, 3 years ago, 5 of us formed the Maine Veterans in Need (MVN) 501(C)3 non-profit. The founders where from the American Legion, Mid-Coast Veterans Council, the VFW, and the Elks. Others have since joined the organization. MVN does not accept government grants, only donated funds. This allows us to establish our own policies on how we operate. MVN fills the gap when other services aren’t available, or the process takes too long to meet the immediate need, or when a grant provides lodging, for example, but not food to live on, or a veteran needs a bus pass so they can get to medical appointments or even to a job. When you are barely making ends meet, gas to get to work becomes critical. Operating 24/7, MVN can solve the immediate problem and connect the veteran with the agencies that can provide the follow-on help. More on addressing Maine’s homeless veterans and others in need next week.