It is hard to believe that one third of America's homeless are veterans. More than 300,000 men and women, who served this country, are living on the streets or in shelters. In Massachusetts, the number of veterans without a home has risen to approximately 7,000. Fortunately, about 76% of homeless veterans and their families, who receive the appropriate support services from Massachusetts Veterans Inc., obtain housing.

Since 1992, Massachusetts Veterans Inc. has provided a safe, strictly enforced, drug-free and alcohol-free emergency shelter for over 5,000 veterans. Every night throughout the year, up to 130 veterans in need are accommodated within the shelter and our transitional housing services.

The shelter serves as a home base from which an individual can regain control over his or her life. Each veteran is given 30 days emergency shelter. Those individuals who require more rehabilitative support can remain at the shelter and participate in the in-house program.

After admission to the shelter, each resident is assigned a caseworker. Working together, they develop an Individual Treatment Plan (ITP), which identifies goals that lead to self-sufficiency. When individuals move on to an independent living situation, they are encouraged to participate in the Massachusetts Veterans Inc. transitional support program.