The Jericho Project Purchases Second Site for Homeless Veterans in the Bronx
Combating the 1-in-4 Disgrace of Homeless Vets
The Jericho Project, a national leader in forging permanent solutions to homelessness, today
announced a new milestone for its Veterans Initiative, closing on the purchase of a site to build its second Veterans Residence in the Bronx. Together the two sites will deliver Jericho’s trademark combination of
permanent supportive housing and comprehensive counseling to 130 homeless and low-income veterans.
Jericho’s Veterans Initiative is the latest in a series of innovations introduced at its recent 25th Anniversary Gala, Where Hope Finds a Home, which honored Senator Bob Dole for his work on behalf of veterans, as well
as other nonprofit and individual leaders addressing the root causes of homelessness, especially among veterans.
The event raised over $525,000 for Jericho, including $300,000 specifically earmarked for the Veterans Initiative.
“We intend for our Veterans Initiative to be scalable - and become a model for helping low-income and homeless veterans nationwide regain their dignity and rightful place in society,” said Jericho Executive Director Tori Lyon.
For many troops, war-induced trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder are leading to a cascade of financial dislocation, family estrangement and homelessness. Extended tours and intensive violence abroad accelerate these
effects and threaten to deepen the national disgrace that one-in-four homeless individuals is a veteran.
“With its effective combination of permanent housing and supportive services, Jericho Project is at the forefront in helping homeless veterans regain control of their lives and once again enjoy the freedoms they helped preserve,” said Cheryl Beversdorf, President and CEO, the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, and one of the Gala honorees.
NCHV is a national nonprofit dedicated to ending homelessness among America’s veterans by shaping public policy, promoting collaboration, and increasing the capacity of service providers.
Unlike the temporary nature of a shelter, Jericho’s Veterans Residences will offer the permanent supportive housing and comprehensive counseling services that have resulted in Jericho’s track record of success. More than 20 percent of Jericho’s current 253 residents “graduate” each year to independent and productive lives, and the average stay is 2 1/2 to 3 years. Ninety-six percent of these graduates maintain permanent housing; two-thirds are employed, with the remainder having government subsidies. Only five percent experience relapse.
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