Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless

StandDown 2005: Resources

This article was printed in the August 2005 issue of The Homeless Report newsletter.

Homeless veterans have made up a quarter of all people experiencing homelessness since 1991; a recent survey found that 26 percent of men experiencing homeless had previously served in the military.¹

Listed below are Veterans Organizations that provide services year-round to homeless veterans:

County Veterans Service Office is the primary contact for transition assistance for recently discharged veterans. The VSO provides disability benefits, survivor’s benefits, health benefits (including chemical dependency treatment, and vouchers for eyeglasses and dental care), temporary assistance for disabled veterans and their families, educational benefits, and home loans.
The Veterans Outreach Coordinator helps veterans met their needs around the state of Minnesota. The Coordinator helps veterans apply for VA benefits, and pensions; he gives referrals to transitional housing programs, and he provides referrals for medical needs, including CD counseling, and mental, primary and specialty care. He can also help veterans obtain a copy of their DD-214. The coordinator is able to assist any veteran. He is focusing on veterans who are people of color, women, or homeless. Contact the Veterans Outreach Coordinator at:

The Veterans Homeless Coordinator helps veterans access mental health services, health care, work rehabilitation and drug and alcohol treatment through the Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Contact the Veterans Homeless Coordinator at:

For further information on services and resources for veterans, visit the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs website.

Wilder Research, October 2003 [back]