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Caring for those who served
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Last March, there was a celebratory atmosphere on High Street in Waynesburg with the opening and dedication of Whitehill Place, the first, and only, transitional housing apartment complex in the county.
The six single-occupancy apartments for individuals left temporarily homeless offer a limited 18-month stay to give residents time to receive job and life-skills training as well as treatment for any behavioral issues, with the ultimate goal being self-sufficiency.
Whitehill Place is making a difference, but in the overall scheme of housing in Greene County, the difference is small. Karen Bennett, executive director of Greene County’s Human Services Department, said the county has a long way to go before its housing situation for homeless or near homeless can be called adequate.
One reason for such a guarded assessment is there are no emergency shelters in Greene County to offer a bed or a warm meal to a homeless person or homeless family, and that makes the job of those tasked with providing help and safety to this segment of the population more difficult.
Now, there is finally recognition of a growing need in Greene County for another type of shelter, one designed specifically for those who have been pushed off the edge of society’s table and into homelessness – the veteran.
“It seems like what we need, and it’s like pulling hen’s teeth, is getting statistics on the number of homeless vets in Greene County,” said Tom Boyd, second vice commander of the James Farrell American Legion Post in Waynesburg. “Without knowing the numbers, there is no ways to apply for grant money to perhaps even think about providing a shelter.”
Dalene Watson, Greene County’s director of veterans affairs, admits the process is a Catch 22.
“First, you can’t get a grant for your homeless shelter unless you have one started or established,” she said. “And you can’t establish one if you don’t have any money.”
Watson, who has served as the county veterans affairs director since 2011, is a Gulf War veteran and served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force Reserves. She asked, “How long would it take me to get enough money to buy a piece of property with a house or building on it to establish a homeless shelter? It is impossible for me to do it on my own.”
Boyd, meanwhile, suggested it is time for some big corporations to step up and get involved. “The money is the thing. Without it, we will have no shelter.”
However, Greene County Commissioner Archie Trader said a partial solution could be in the works, on requirements put forth by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
“The county’s redevelopment authority is buying up properties that have remained unsold through sheriff and judicial sales. The idea is to rehabilitate them and get them back on the tax rolls,” he said.
Perhaps, he said, some day one of those houses could be used as a shelter for veterans.
Bennett said when a person comes to her agency seeking assistance, and identifies him or herself as a veteran, they are asked if they are homeless. “If a veteran needs assistance with claims, insurance or pension, they are directed to the VA in Pittsburgh or Clarksburg, W.Va.,” she said.
But Bennett made it clear. “We do help veterans who identify themselves when they come to human services,” she said. “We know there are a lot of young returning veterans in Greene County, but how we get our arms around them, I just don’t know.”
Watson said this year alone she has had at least 5,000 inquiries from veterans, some repeaters, and said, “It is everything, just not claims.” Yet, she said, if a veteran wants to file a claim for compensation or pension, and is homeless, “that will expedite the claim.”
Watson said one of her concerns is what happens after 4:30 p.m. when her office, human services, the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities and other “help” agencies close.
Boyd said his Legion and other Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts throughout the county will give a veteran money for food if he or she shows up and asks. “But we have to tell that veteran we don’t have any shelter,” he said.
Moreover, Boyd said he feels it’s the responsibility of Legions and VFW posts to offer whatever help they can to their fellow veterans. “Veteran organizations should be taking care of veterans. We are a patriotic county, and I know we do take care of our own.”
Dave Kelley, commander of the Edwin Scott Linton American Legion Post 175 in Washington, echoed Boyd’s sentiments. “We don’t see that many homeless veterans come to the post,” Kelley said. “We maybe have had two in the last year show up, but they are in need of bus money to get back home or they need a hot meal, which we provide,” he said.
When asked if other Legions and VFW posts in Washington County respond similarly when a homeless vet shows up needing a meal of some money, Kelley said, “If they aren’t, they should be.”
Steve Peck, a writer who blogs about veterans issues, wrote: “Walking out of a home for the last time without knowing where to lay your head that night is the final straw in a long line of trials that are brought on by life’s cruel circumstances, some promoted by bad habits and self-deception, others the result of substance abuse or mental illness, lack of opportunity or lack of education. There is no single factor that if solved, will end homelessness as we know it.”
Bennett said that is so true. “We know that behavioral and mental health needs, and drug and alcohol abuse, very well could result in homelessness. If there is a behavioral issue, it doesn’t matter if you are a veteran or not,” she said.
Bennett said when a veteran comes to her office seeking assistance, and they need treatment, they are referred to the VA in either Pittsburgh or Clarksburg because that’s where their insurance pays. “But many don’t want to go that far to seek treatment, so they remain untreated, and that’s when these behavioral problems result in homelessness,” she said.
Since Watson took over as Greene County’s veterans affairs director, she has seen the numbers of veteran requests for help increase. “We have about 6,000 to 7,000 veterans in Greene County, and the Vietnam and Korean veterans are getting older, and the World War II vets are dying,” she said.
And frankly, she said, “We are seeing too many widows.”
She said at the top of her wish list is a house, a place that can be a home, nothing sterile or institutional. “I would like to see a place where veterans are taking care of each other. They are a proud bunch.”