Homeward Bound of WNC, a nonprofit based in Buncombe and Henderson counties, works with others to end the cycle of homelessness. We will examine the problem of veteran homelessness in our community, at our Forum on Veteran Homelessness.
This year the annual Point in Time count, (a count of sheltered and unsheltered homeless people on a single night in January across the nation) found that of the 562 people experiencing homelessness in our community, 37% were veterans.
Veterans become homeless due to many factors – from extreme shortage of affordable housing, lack of income, access to healthcare and the lingering effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and substance abuse. All of these factors are made worse by a lack of social support.
Homeward Bound’s Executive Director, Brian Alexander says, “No one who has served our country should be left to live in a car, a camp or a shelter. Our community has the solution to veteran homelessness – permanent housing. We look forward to examining this problem and how together we can solve it in greater depth with the community.”
Join us on Thursday November 12, 2015 at Celine & Co. at On Broadway from 5:30 – 8 PM, as we explore this social crisis in depth and examine solutions that work. The Forum is presented by AVL Technologies, with support from Chitwood and Fairbairn, PA, Tryon Distributing and the Lenoir-Rhyne Center for Graduate Studies at Asheville.
Jas Boothe, an Army veteran who gave 15 years of service and was herself homeless is giving the keynote speech. She founded Final Salute, Inc. to address female veteran homelessness.
A panel discussion will follow her speech focusing on the local problem and solutions. The panel will include Ms. Boothe, local experts and people who have experienced homelessness.