ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – The Minnesota Assistance of Council for Veterans (MACV) has had a mission to end veteran homelessness for more than 30 years. According to its 2023 report, it says the progress is promising, but there’s still a lot of work that needs to be done.

According to MACV Southern Regional Director Sadie Rezac, the issue boils down to lack of affordable housing, especially in rural areas.

“You spread out farther from the larger communities, and there are no shelters, and no transportation to get to the shelters, and lack of affordability to live in the communities where the resources are available,” Rezac explained.

MACV said the average homeless veteran is 10 to 15 years older than the typical person experiencing homelessness.

“You’re more likely to have some pretty complex medical conditions,” MACV Development Associate Kate Brune said. “You’re more likely to have some chronic medical illnesses that you don’t experience in your 30s. That once you’re in your 50s, 60s. You’re unlikely to bounce back from.”

MACV uses the state’s homeless veteran registry to help coordinate case management. MACV staff and community members meet every two weeks to discuss solutions for every veteran on the list. There are currently 17 veterans from the south and southeastern part of the state. There are currently 254 veterans on the registry statewide.

“It’s really a good tool for us as organizations to collaborate about that veteran to house them in a quicker fashion than we maybe would’ve 25 years ago,” Rezac said.

In Rochester, The Landing MN, which serves people experiencing homelessness, said it’s currently serving around 30 to 40 veterans experiencing homelessness, or who are having severe housing insecurity. In 2023, it served 74 veterans.

The Landing MN recently received a grant from the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs to purchase a transport van that will be used to help veterans experiencing homelessness.

“Whether it be to look at an apartment or sign a lease, perhaps move in it may be getting to appointments. Whatever those needs may be. We’re really excited about that,” The Landing social worker Stephanie Neuman-Rice said.

Rezac said the despite some of the progress, there are still veterans out there that aren’t seeking help.

“Minnesota is light years ahead of other states,” Rezac said. “But we still have a lot of work to do in terms of transportation, affordable housing. Getting veterans jobs that are livable wages.”

The homeless veterans registry is public, and anyone can register a veteran to receive resources to help.

Find out more information here.

Megan Zemple KTTC Published April 4th, 2024