HOUSING
By Becks Heyhoe EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR UNITED TO END HOMELESSNESS Each year as we enter November and Veteran’s Day approaches, we are reminded of how important it is to demonstrate our gratitude to the men and women who protect and preserve freedom across our nation and around the world. While veterans may welcome expressions of gratitude, often these expressions are not enough. Thousands of homeless veterans are living on the streets or in cars in Orange County and nationwide. United to End Homelessness, an initiative from Orange County United Way, is committed to ending homelessness in Orange County so that everyone has a place to call home. Through WelcomeHomeOC, a program launched in 2018, United to End Homelessness has helped more than 500 formerly homeless individuals, including 100 veterans, find safe and stable places to live.
WelcomeHomeOC works closely with rental property owners and managers to identify available rental units. The program then streamlines leasing those rentals to prescreened voucher holders—including veterans with VASH vouchers—with guaranteed monthly rent direct deposits from the Housing Authority, low turnover, high retention rates, and other incentives. In addition, WelcomeHomeOC protects against potential losses by paying daily holding fees and security deposits of two month’s rent and purchasing furniture for program residents. 28
NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2021
OC REALTOR®
“After serving in the Middle East, the gratitude I have for a home comes from the deepest portion of my heart,” remarked Chase, a veteran who benefited from the WelcomeHomeOC program.
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One of these veterans is Chase. After experiencing a series of misfortunes, Chase found himself homeless and living in his car when he could not make rent payments consistently. Fortunately, Chase was put in touch with WelcomeHomeOC, which helped him find an apartment that would accept his HUD Veteran’s Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) voucher. “After serving in the Middle East, the gratitude I have for a home comes from the deepest portion of my heart,” said Chase.