Cheryl Hage-Perez, executive director of Veterans and Community Housing Coalition
Cheryl Hage-Perez is the executive director of Veterans and Community Housing Coalition.
1. What is the Veterans and Community Housing Coalition?
“Veterans & Community Housing Coalition (VCHC) is a not for profit organization that provides housing and support to homeless veterans in seven Counties. Through a continuum of housing programs, homeless veterans are served in Saratoga, Warren, Washington, Fulton, Montgomery, Schoharie and Schenectady Counties. Transitional Housing is available to both male and female veterans at the Vet House and Guardian House. Guardian House is the only VA funded program for homeless female Veterans in NYS.
“The Veterans who reside there can stay up to two years while they address the issues that created the homeless situation. These issues include Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Addiction, Depression, Anxiety Disorders, sleep disorders and other invisible wounds as a result of their experiences while serving our Country.
“80% of the female veterans we serve are victims of Military Sexual Trauma. Once ready, VCHC assists them in obtaining independent, permanent housing.
“In order to assist disabled, low income veterans and their families VCHC owns fourteen units of permanent housing. The rent is charged based on their income. In addition, VCHC lease sixteen apartments for low income, disabled veteran and their families at not rent cost.
“The Support Services for Veterans Families provides temporary financial assistance to prevent an eviction or utility shut off for veterans living in the community. Staff work with landlords, utility companies and employers to prevent and eviction. If the Veteran has been evicted , this temporary assistance is provided to help rapidly rehouse the veteran to avoid a homeless situation.”
2. How did you become involved with this organization?
“I had been working with the disabled and homeless populations since 1980. My father and his two brothers had served in WWII, my son, son in law and grandson are Marine Corps Veterans and I have one grandson currently serving in the Marines. As I was seeing the words homeless veteran more frequently, I just could not understand that so many men and women who served our country, who sacrificed for our freedoms could find themselves living on the streets, in their cars or in abandoned buildings.
“The opportunity to work with veterans came up and I was fortunate to be offered this position. I do not see this a my job. It is a passion and a privilege to serve these brave men and women.”
3. How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected veterans involved in VCHC’s programs?
“COVID-19 has had an impact on veterans in our programs as well as many veterans in our community. Loss of income, not receiving unemployment in a timely manner, having their children home from school thus not being able to work, all leading to increased need of rental assistance, temporary housing, food, paper products, cleaning supplies, gas cards and PPE.
“The requests for assistance has doubled since April 1st.”
4. How can community members help local veterans during this time?
“Veterans & Community Housing Coalition has long been aware of the support to our Veterans in this Community. In response to the increased needs, VCHC has implemented a supply pantry. Staff are working hard to provide essentials to the forty nine Veterans and families residing in our programs as well as dozens of Veterans living in the community.
“Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we have paused all donations of clothing, furniture and household items. While donations of non-perishable foods, personal care items, and paper products are coming in, we need cash donations or gift cards to purchase meats, produce, and dairy products.
“Donations can be sent to: VCHC, 20 Prospect St. Building 2 Suite 313, Ballston Spa, NY 12020. Or through the link on our website www.vchcny.org.”
5. What is your goal for the future of VCHC?
“There are still many unmet needs for Veterans. VCHC is working on the development of a thrift store/training center. A major cause of homeless among veterans is they have no skills when they leave the military. Most have reenlisted right after high school. They have no experience writing a resume, interviewing for a job and the jobs they had in the military do not convert well to civilian life. This training center will provide job skill development while providing an income.
“While our Guardian House provides housing to homeless female Veterans we cannot house children. That leaves the mom in a quandary. Should she get the help she needs and give up her children and risk not getting them back? Should she not het the help she needs and continue to struggle. Most moms choose to keep their kids and not get help. To address this, VCHC has started a capital campaign to develop housing with supports for these moms and their children. Plans for the home, Foreverly House has been put on hold due to Covid-19.
“Many veterans are not able to live independently due to aging or disability. There is no facility for these Veterans to reside and benefit from the peer to peer support while receiving the assistance and care they need. The goal of VCHC is to develop an Adult Home to meet the needs of this veteran population.”