May 30, 2002
Allegheny County Chief Executive Jim Roddey today hailed the rehabilitation of 13 row houses in the City of Pittsburgh’s Larimer section as an important event in helping the area’s homeless veterans regain independence.

Veterans Place of Washington Boulevard is a supportive housing facility developed by a nonprofit organization of the same name. The project is designed to provide supportive services and affordable housing for homeless veterans and will result in 48 single-occupancy rooms to house the former service members while they continue rehabilitative treatment at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System.

“Veterans have fought for and defended the principles of freedom that have identified the United States as the leader of the free world. The very least we can do for them is to ensure they are safe and cared for as they make the important recovery from homelessness and despair,” said Roddey, who is a veteran himself having served a tour in the U.S. Marine Corps.

A ceremony was held on the Highland Drive campus of the VA Pittsburgh to formally recognize the construction, which began earlier this spring. Limited site access and wet weather prevented holding this event at that time. The rehabilitation completion is anticipated for early November, just in time for Veterans Day on Nov. 11.

The project is being led by Sid Singer, president of the Veterans Place of Washington Boulevard, a group of veterans comprised primarily of Jewish War Veterans who have made “vets helping vets” their life’s passion.

“We’re trying to make the world a better place than when we came in. Everyone needs a helping hand, especially the Vietnam War veterans. No one ever appreciated them, but we’re out for all veterans,” said Singer, who got involved in housing more than 22 years ago when a group of Jewish war veterans acquired East Boro Apartments, a 101-apartment facility for senior citizens in Monroeville.

The organization acquired the dilapidated row houses along Washington Boulevard for $1 at a sheriff’s sale in 1998. The group has been putting together the financial package ever since to underwrite the approximate $2.5 million cost of rehabilitation.

Allegheny County is providing the majority of the construction funding with both a low-interest loan ($805,000) and no-interest loan ($615,000). Other project partners include the City of Pittsburgh ($350,000 loan), Federal Home Loan Bank/West View Savings ($250,000 loan), the Department of Veterans Affairs ($450,000 grant), and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. HUD will provide operational support through Section 8 rental income.

Veterans Affairs is playing a critical role in the project. Homeless vets will reside at Vets Place after completing initial treatment and therapy at the Domiciliary on its Highland Drive campus, which is a little more than a mile away.

"I take great pride in this project because it offers a much-needed service to homeless veterans in Allegheny County and surrounding areas,” said Michael Moreland, director of the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System. “Veteran's Place will offer veterans a supportive environment in the community in which they can continue the recovery and rehabilitation process initiated at the VA Pittsburgh.”

As part of the National VA CHALLENGE initiative, the VA Pittsburgh sponsors an annual meeting of community and VA homeless providers, and surveys the participants to identify the needs of homeless veterans. The need for housing has been one of the top three unmet needs for the past five years. Veteran's Place is a direct response to the needs of homeless veterans in the community.

The VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System is an active player in addressing the issue of homelessness in the region. If any veteran or community provider needs assistance in providing help to homeless veterans they can contact any of the 3 facilities and they will be directed to the appropriate program.

Clients occupying any of the 48 single-occupancy rooms in the rehabilitated structures will have a complete array of services to aid in their recovery, both at the VA and in the community. A full-time equivalent case management specialist will be on-site to address the needs of the clients.

The services will focus on continued therapy introduced at the Domiciliary, including life skills such as maintaining a home, managing money, preparing food and behavior management. Additional counseling will involve relationship building, conflict resolution, job skills training and educational activities. The ultimate goal is for the veteran to return to the community to live productively and independently. Community-based organizations such as the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program will help provide important services such as job placement and networking resources.