Homes for the Brave has announced that they are expanding their programs and services to West Haven. HFTB is a nonprofit organization based in Bridgeport that works in collaboration with the Veterans Administration and other community agencies to combat homelessness among the veteran population. The objective of HFTB programs is to provide individuals with access to the support and skills training needed to live independently and engage with their communities.
HFTB West Haven opened the first of two houses in the spring of 2022 and is opening the second house in the summer of 2022. The program is near the VA Medical Center and can serve a total of 14 male veterans experiencing homelessness, providing them with temporary housing and on-site support. Each veteran is provided with his own room, support with basic needs such as food and clothing, case management and support from peer support specialists in the evenings and on weekends.
The goals of the program are to help each veteran reach his objective to move into permanent and safe housing as well as increase and stabilize his income and work toward his self-determination goals. Each veteran has access to other HFTB resources, including vocational training, clinical treatment and ongoing support after they leave the program. The West Haven location is operated in partnership with the US Veterans Affairs grant and per diem program, the Connecticut VA health care system and the Veterans Support Foundation, which owns the buildings where the program is housed.
“Opening these two homes in West Haven allows us to provide our programs and services to veterans in New Haven County, allowing us to serve more veterans in need,” said Vince Santilli, HFTB CEO. “We are extremely pleased to expand into West Haven and serve veterans experiencing homelessness in that area.”
Since its creation in 1998, HFTB has served over 1,500 individuals, while engaging with hundreds of volunteers and local organizations to craft an ever-expanding network of support. For more information, visit homesforthebrave.org.