News Flash

Snohomish County Announces Critical New Tools to Battle Veteran Homelessness

EVERETT, Wash., February 24, 2016 – Snohomish County’s Department of Human Services, as part of the community’s Veterans Homelessness Committee (VHC), recently added two additional funding sources as they work to end veteran homelessness in 2016. The veterans’ housing continuum of care added $100,000 in a local Ending Homelessness Program grant, along with a recent award from Building Changes of $300,000 in a Washington Youth and Families Fund grant for ending family homelessness. In combination, the resources will be utilized by the County’s Veterans Assistance Program to house families both with and without children.

“As a county, we have committed ourselves to ending the tragedy of veterans living on our streets,” said Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers. “Our veterans have selflessly served us, and when they are faced with homelessness, they deserve every opportunity to get much needed housing and services,” said Executive Somers.

“The Veterans Homelessness Committee is a strong, collaborative partnership formed in 2010, consisting of over 18 community organizations, ranging from government to non-profit to military,” said Cammy-Hart-Anderson, Division Manager for Veterans Assistance, Snohomish County Human Services Department. “Membership ranges from the Office of Congressman Rick Larsen to Community Health Center of Snohomish Center, with all involved focused on a single mission—ending veteran homelessness and providing housing options and supportive services to any veteran seeking them with as few barriers as possible.”

Once it was determined that the community serving veterans in crisis was operating at maximum capacity, Human Services Director Mary Jane Brell Vujovic and her staff helped develop the application package for a Systems Innovation Grant through Building Changes. “These new tools should be critical in successfully ending homelessness for our citizens who voluntarily served in defense of this great nation,” said Brell Vujovic.

For information of how to refer or access these resources, and the many other resources available for veterans, please contact Jerry Gadek or Timothy Sewell at (425) 388-7255 or contact Northsound 211.

Snohomish County Human Services Department helps all persons meet their basic needs and develop their potential by providing timely, effective human services and building community. The Veterans Assistance Program provides limited emergency and financial assistance to honorably discharged veterans, veterans' widows, and qualified dependents.