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Wednesday, November 27, 2013
PENTAGRAM
Veterans’ homelessness drops by 24 percent Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development
The Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development announced Nov. 21 that a new national report shows a 24 percent drop in homelessness among veterans since 2010. The report also showed an 8 percent reduction between January 2012 and January 2013. The decline keeps U.S. government plans on track to meet the goal of ending veterans’ homelessness in 2015. “We are on the right track in the fight to end homelessness among veterans. While this trend is encouraging news, we know that there is more work to do,” Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki said. “As President Obama said, we’re not going to rest until every veteran who has fought for America has a home in America. The results in the latest report are a credit to the effort given by our dedicated staff, and our federal, state and community partners who are committed to ending veterans’ homelessness.” Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan said, “We’re making real and significant progress to reduce homelessness in this country and now is not the time to retreat from doing what we know works. If we’re going to end homelessness as we know it, we need a
continued bipartisan commitment from Congress to break the cycle trapping our most vulnerable citizens, especially our veterans, between living in a shelter or a life on the streets. “I understand these are tough budget times but these are proven strategies that are making a real difference,” Donovan continued. “We simply can’t balance our budget on the backs of those living on the margins.” The 2013 point-in-time estimates of homelessness, prepared by HUD, estimates there were 57,849 homeless veterans on a single night in January in the United States, an 8 percent decline since 2012, and a 24 percent decline since 2010. VA has made ending veterans’ homelessness by the end of 2015 a top priority, undertaking an unprecedented campaign to dramatically increase awareness of VA services for homeless veterans and veterans at risk of becoming homeless. While the number of homeless people in the United States dropped by 4 percent since 2012, according to the 2013 report, veterans’ homelessness has shown a more robust decline. During a period of prolonged economic recovery, the government has been able to reduce the number of homeless veterans by 24 percent, breaking previous patterns of increased homelessness during difficult economies.
Earlier this year, HUD and VA also announced the award of nearly $70 million of HUD-Veterans Affairs supportive housing grants to further assist in addressing the issue of veterans’ homelessness. The program combines rental assistance from HUD with case management and clinical services provided by VA. Since 2008, a total of 58,140 vouchers have been awarded and 43,371 formerly homeless veterans are currently in homes of their own because of the joint HUD-VA program. One of the tools VA uses in its systematic approach to prevent and end veterans’ homelessness is the supportive services for veteran families grant program. In July, VA announced the award of nearly $300 million in grants to 319 community agencies to help approximately 120,000 homeless and at-risk veterans and their families. More recently, VA has announced $8.8 million in grants for 164 projects to acquire vans for homeless providers and to rehabilitate housing, plus $4.9 million in grants for 25 communitybased projects to enhance services for veterans. The grants promote housing stability among homeless and at-risk veterans and their families. The grants can have an immediate impact, helping lift veterans out of homelessness or providing aid in emergencies that put veterans and their families at risk of homelessness.
FBI lays wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier By Cory Hancock JFHQ-NCR/MDW Public Affairs
Assistant Director-in-Charge, Washington Field Office Federal Bureau of Investigation, Valerie Parlave and Maj. Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan, commanding general Joint Force HeadquartersNational Capital Region and the U.S. Army Military District of Washington laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, Nov. 20. The wreath-laying was part of an ongoing engagement program between JFHQ-NCR/MDW and its interagency partners. Laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is an honor usually bestowed upon military personnel and visiting foreign dignitaries. “The FBI is one of our key interagency partners in the National Capital Region and they do a phenomenal job protecting us every day,” said Buchanan. “We wanted to invite them to the Tomb to continue to strengthen our relationship.” “The motto of the FBI is fidelity, bravery and integrity. These values can also be applied to the principled and honorable sentinels who guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier,” said Parlave. “It is a true honor to be asked to participate in this solemn ritual and pay respect to those who have
served our great nation through our military. It is also an opportunity for me and the employees of the Washington field office to reflect on the immense pride we have for the nation we serve.” The FBI was created in 1908 by Attorney General Charles Bonaparte during the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt. Today, the FBI remains dedicated to its core values and ethical standards. The commitment to these values and standards ensures that the FBI effectively carries out its mission: protect and defend the United States against terrorist and foreign intelligence threats; uphold and enforce the criminal laws of the United States; and provide leadership and criminal justice services to federal, state, municipal, and international agencies and partners. “The FBI’s relationship with the Military District of Washington is a true partnership, and we are grateful for their cooperation, teamwork, and support. We share many of the same characteristics. Our dedication and our willingness to serve is the same,” said Parlave. “We share in a mission to protect and defend the U.S. against attack; and therefore, we work together and train together. We strive to understand the current threat picture in the National Capital Region and beyond, and we share intelligence that is both developed and
PHOTO
BY
CORY HANCOCK
Assistant Director-in-Charge, Washington Field Office Federal Bureau of Investigation, Valerie Parlave (left), prepares to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, Nov. 20. Commanding General of Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region and the Military District of Washington Maj. Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan (center) joined Parlave during the wreath-laying ceremony.
received by our organizations.” “It was very moving for me. Of course, Arlington is sacred ground for us and every time I step out on the plaza it is very moving,” said Buchanan. “To see their emotional response reenforces it with me.” “I was truly honored to receive the invitation from the Military District of Washington to participate in this wreath-laying. We
continuously work to uphold our relationships with our partner agencies, and the Military District of Washington is a vital partner in our joint efforts in this region,” said Parlave. “We look forward to enjoying many more years of an ever-strengthening bond between us, and we will continue our cooperation and coordination to remain worthy of the honor afforded to the FBI today.”
Self Help Program allows quick resolution to minor facility repairs By Lisa Taylor Engineer Business Systems Analyst Directorate of Public Works
Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Directorate of Public Works personnel have created the “Customer Service Self Help” program to serve those who work on JBM-HH – military personnel and Department of Defense civilians – and those who live in JBM-HH barracks. The program does not cover family housing. The Bbusiness operations and integration division of DPW designed the self help program to provide the supplies, tools – and sometimes the guidance from DPW experts – to resolve minor facility maintenance issues. The aim of the program is to improve the quality of life for servicemembers and civilian employees working and living on JBM-HH. In addition to tools and equipment needed to get the job done, DPW employees supporting the program can advise on how to get the work done properly. Servicemembers can volunteer to accomplish small repair projects in their respective living facilities (barracks), where the capability exists. The self help program allows customers to complete smaller jobs in a short amount of time and have access to materials and common hand tools. These are some of the items available: ceiling tiles, light bulbs, filters, paint, spackling compound, weather stripping, faucet washers and much more.
There are some procedures to follow. Prior to accomplishing any self help project, the customer must submit a service order request through the assigned building coordinator for small items. If a scope of work breakdown and bill of materials is required, use a DA Form 4283, engineer work request. Please remember to have your DA Form 4283 signed by the appointed building coordinator who has delegation of authority (DA Form 1687) on file with the customer service office. No materials can be issued or work can begin until the paperwork is approved by DPW. This is normal procedure for any installation to ensure guidelines set forth within the installation design guide are adhered to and followed. Self Help is currently available through the work management branch customer service in Bldg. 313 on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., telephone 703-696-3264. The office is closed for lunch from noon to 12:30 p.m. and closed on weekends/holidays. A customer service representative will take the order and a planner/estimator will verify the scope of the project and identify what supplies are required. If supplies are not immediately available in the DPW supply warehouse, they will be ordered, and the customer will be notified by telephone when supplies are received and ready for pick up. Here are some of the tasks that could be completed:
Carpentry - refasten coat hooks and closet shelves; tighten/replace hinges, knobs, latches and handles; lubricate locks and hardware; replace door stops; repair/ replace curtain rods and accessories; hang pictures and mirrors; replace/adjust kitchen and bathroom hardware (install/tighten paper holders, soap dishes); replace ceiling tiles; get paint, brushes, rollers and drop cloths. Electrical – Replace light bulbs, reset tripped circuit breakers, replace cracked/broken receptacle plates and replace ceiling light fixtures. Plumbing/HVAC – Unclog drains and toilets, repair leaky faucets, replace/repair shower heads, tighten or replace shower heads, toilet seats; correct or adjust running toilet, adjust water level in toilet tank; dismantle trap under the sink to unclog. Many more items can be addressed, repaired or replaced. Just be sure to go through your assigned building coordinator to work with the self help program. Personnel eligible for this self help program include all military personnel working at the joint base and Soldiers and Marines who live in JBM-HH barracks and Department of Defense civilians working in any activity at JBM-HH, including partner activities. This program excludes family housing residents who have a different system in place. For more information, call Jorge Blanco, DPW’s chief of Business Operations and Integration division, at 703-696-6411.