Hoyer Attends Briefing on Efforts to Address Homelessness Among Southern Maryland Veterans
WASHINGTON, DC – This afternoon, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) attended a briefing with Three Oaks Center and other service providers on efforts in Southern Maryland to address homelessness among veterans, including how they are implementing grant funding from the Department of Veterans Affairs Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program. Congressman Hoyer and participants at the briefing also discussed other challenges facing veterans in the community, including access to health care and the VA disability claims backlog.
"I was pleased to attend the briefing today with Three Oaks Center and other service providers who are making a significant difference for the veterans population in Southern Maryland," stated Congressman Hoyer. "After serving our country so dutifully, we have an obligation to ensure our veterans have the support and resources they need to transition to civilian life. That's exactly what the Center and its partners are working hard to accomplish, providing the services needed for veterans and their families to stay in their homes or transition to permanent housing. I thank them for all they are doing for our community, and remain committed to working with them to eliminate homelessness among veterans and address other challenges identified by the service providers today."
"Three Oaks Center and our associated service providers in the Southern Maryland Region thank Congressman Steny Hoyer for his visit to the Three Oaks Center Administrative Offices," said Lanny Lancaster, Executive Director of Three Oaks Center. "The Center briefed him on how the Supportive Services for Veteran Families Grant, which was awarded by the Department of Veterans Affairs to Three Oaks Center last year, is fitting into the overall continuum of services available to our homeless Veterans and Veterans at-risk of becoming homeless."
Three Oaks Center provides emergency, transitional and permanent supportive housing that helps individuals and families obtain shelter and stability. The Center also provides referrals to appropriate resources so that they may return to living self-sufficient lives. In 2012, the Center was awarded a $219,192 grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs SSVF Program to serve approximately 192 veteran households in St. Mary's, Charles, and Calvert Counties. The grant provides funding for case management and temporary financial assistance.