Veterans receive rental aid to prevent homelessness

Many veterans living on fixed incomes are routinely priced out of homes due to spiking rent prices across the state.

Last year, the Fountain Hills-based Veterans Medical Leadership Council gave out more than $300,000 in rental assistance to more than 400 Arizona veterans and their families to prevent them from becoming homeless.

The council has experienced a surge in demand for services and the group’s leaders say they could use double the amount of funding they have to meet veterans’ needs. The group provides resources and assistance to veterans who are on the brink of homelessness, unemployment and even suicide.

Veterans who are in need can apply for services including emergency home and auto repairs, assistance with utility bills and treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. Veterans must be registered at the Phoenix Veterans Affairs Health Care System and must be assigned a social worker to receive services.

Two programs under the council are the Returning Warrior and Navajo Relief programs. Since 2005, the Returning Warrior Program has assisted veterans with transitioning back into civilian life. Financial assistance and medical expenses that are not covered by the VA health care system are some of the services provided.

The Navajo Relief Program began in 2020 due to the impact of COVID-19 in Native American communities. The program assists Navajo veterans by providing access to water, electricity and housing. Supplies are delivered by helicopter to Navajo veterans.

A $7,500 Season for Sharing grant helped prevent 40 veterans and their families from becoming homeless.

The 2021 Season for Sharing campaign raised $1.8 million for 164 Arizona charities, including the Veterans Medical Leadership Council. The annual grant-making effort was created in 1993 by The Arizona Republic/azcentral. In that time, more than $72 million has been donated to charities around the state that help struggling children and families, older adults and students and teachers.

Lt. Col. Tom Eisiminger Jr., president of the Veterans Medical Leadership Council, said, “It’s not a handout.

They’ve earned it. It’s a travesty if any veteran ends up homeless and on the streets.”

Donations to the veterans group can be made online at arizonavmlc .org/donate/. Donations to Season for

Sharing are accepted year-round at sharing.azcentral.com or by texting “SHARING” to 91-999.

Roxanne De La Rosa covers Arizona’s nonprofit community. Reach her at rdelarosa@azcentral.com.