More Federal Dollars Help C.O. Vets
Housing Works has received 10 more federally funded vouchers to help Central Oregon veterans and their families afford a home. On Thursday, one Gulf War veteran said he saw the direct benefits of a voucher, when he went from living on the streets to having his own place to call home.
“On the streets, you don’t have many options,” said gulf war veteran, Jim Gililand. “You don’t have the time. You’re worried about where you’re going to sleep, what you’re going to eat.”
Gilliland was homeless for two years. He was just scraping by, until Central Oregon Veterans Outreach helped him apply for a housing voucher, and put a roof over his head.
“It’s all worked together,” Gililand said. “It’s given me back my self-respect and put me back on the road to be a more productive person.”
In order to get a housing voucher, veterans meet with a VA case worker who determines eligibility and takes them out to look for a house.
Another local agency, Housing Works, helps make the dream a reality. Officials said they want to take care of the people who have taken care of the country.
“I’m really honored to be able to provide this service,” said Kenny La Point, Housing Works’ director of resident and housing services. “It’s the least that we can do. And for me, it’s really humbling. They deserve it.”
The vets can live in a condo, apartment or house. In the past two years, more than 60 vouchers have helped Central Oregon veterans.
“We’re really happy to see those folks in housing, and being able to move along and address other issues like finding school and finding a job,” LaPoint said. “It becomes really hard when they don’t have a roof over their head, and they can’t take a shower every morning.”
Now that Gilliland has a home, he said he has become very involved with his church. There, he met a group of people who have become like family.
“Having a home is stabilization,” Gilliland said. “You can work, if you have a home, you can work from there.”
Anyone interested in applying for a housing voucher is asked to call the VA at 1-877-424-3838.
