Martinez VA Focuses On Finding Permanent Homes For Veterans

MARTINEZ (KCBS) – Many war veterans in the Bay Area who have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan have no place to live due to chronic homelessness. Now, the Department of Veterans Affairs in Martinez is working to find permanent housing for these vets.

It's estimated there are more than 10,000 homeless veterans nationwide. Patrick Kowalski has talked with many vets at the VA in Martinez that cannot find permanent housing for varying reasons.

"These issues could range from mental illness to just environmental circumstances or longer term issues, which would also include substance abuse," said Kowalski, who supervises the VA Supportive Housing Program. "With this population, you're not just able to stick them in a home and think that it will be fine. There are supportive services that are needed."

KCBS' Dave Padilla Reports:

He said that the Veterans Affairs Department is making vouchers available for permanent Section 8 housing. Many of the vets, who are lining up for this opportunity served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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