BOSTON - The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced the allocation of $6.7 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to enhance outreach and case-management services aimed at eradicating veteran homelessness in Massachusetts. This funding is for the Housing Outreach-to-Placement Effort (HOPE) campaign, an initiative under the broader $20 million End Veteran Homelessness campaign the administration launched in March 2024. 

“No one who served our country should ever have to worry about having a roof over their heads,” said Governor Maura Healey. “That’s why we launched the End Veteran Homelessness campaign and why we’re proud to be dedicating millions in ARPA funding to support our mission. I’m grateful to the Biden-Harris administration and our Congressional delegation for making this transformative investment possible.”

“As someone who grew up in a military family, I believe deeply in our duty to honor our veterans with action, as well as our words,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “That’s what our administration strives to do each day, from standing up the first-ever cabinet-level Veterans Services secretariat, to introducing the HERO Act, to putting historic resources and focuses behind our efforts to end veteran homelessness once and for all.”

"This funding will significantly enhance our ability to connect with veterans who need housing and supportive services," said Veterans Services Secretary Jon Santiago. "By working closely with our community partners, we are taking concrete steps to ensure that every veteran has access to the housing and services they deserve." 

“This initiative marks a critical step forward in our mission to end veteran homelessness,” said Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus. “Through targeted investments and strategic partnerships, we are building a robust support network that addresses both immediate housing needs and long-term stability for our veterans.”

“Veterans volunteered to put their lives on the line to protect our families and defend our values. In return, we have a duty to use every tool we can to support veterans in our own communities,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren. “These federal funds will accelerate our work to end veteran homelessness and make crucial, much-needed investments in veterans and their families.”

“Our veterans, who served our nation bravely and give back to our communities daily, deserve nothing less than a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home. This funding will bring us one step closer to ensuring that’s a reality for every veteran in Massachusetts and will help affirm housing as the human right that it is,” said Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley. “I am proud to help deliver these federal funds for the Commonwealth and I am grateful to the Healey-Driscoll administration for prioritizing this critical investment in our veterans.”

“I’m delighted the Healey-Driscoll administration has dedicated $6.7 million in ARPA funding to eliminate homelessness among our brave combat veterans. They served our country with honor and distinction, and it is our duty and responsibility to support outreach programs like the Southeastern Massachusetts Veterans Housing Program, located in New Bedford, that helps many of my constituents. I come from a military family, my father served in the Korean conflict, so I know the sacrifices they have made, and I’ve always had a special place in my heart for veterans. I thank would like to thank Secretary Santiago for his leadership in greatly expanding the scope of services to our veterans, “said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.

The HOPE Campaign is an outreach and housing counseling program that provides outreach, service coordination, and housing placement to homeless veterans and their families across Massachusetts. Providers will collaborate with other veteran service organizations and regional Continuums of Care (CoC) to find, identify, and engage with homeless veterans. Each CoC is made up of housing providers, healthcare organizations, state and federal government representatives, and housing authorities. Each CoC has a veteran subcommittee that focuses solely on veterans without housing at or risk of losing housing. Each subcommittee meets biweekly and engages in case conferencing.  

The Executive Office of Veterans Services (EOVS) and the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) have selected several community-based providers to provide housing-based search support. The designated regions and grant recipients are as follows: 

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The broader End Veteran Homelessness campaign, launched by the Healey-Driscoll Administration in March 2024, comprises five pillars strategically designed to address the multifaceted challenges faced by homeless veterans:

1. Homelessness Outreach to Placement Effort (HOPE): An intensive, geographically equitable initiative to engage directly with homeless veterans and facilitate their placement into stable housing.
2. Capital Investments Supporting Veteran Housing: Providing capital investments to support the acquisition, rehabilitation, or construction of affordable housing for veterans.
3. Aligning Supportive Services with Veteran Housing Goals: Allocating funds to veteran service providers offering supportive services to veterans experiencing housing instability.
4. End Veteran Homelessness Advisory Group: An advisory council of stakeholders in the veteran, housing, and homelessness space to provide guidance and support.
5. Empowering and Supporting our Veteran Service Providers: Providing opportunities for technical assistance to veteran service providers for efforts such as grant writing, strategic planning, and operations.

In addition to the HOPE campaign, the End Veteran Homelessness campaign has made significant strides in its five strategic pillars. The End Veteran Homelessness Advisory Group was established in May and held its first meeting in June. This 14-member advisory group comprises veteran community stakeholders, healthcare community members, and governmental representatives from municipal, state, and federal levels.

In May, the Healey-Driscoll Administration awarded $2 million in Veteran Community Initiative Grants, including $477,709 to the Volunteers of America of Massachusetts. This funding will be used to improve the Massachusetts Bay Veterans Center and establish the new Plymouth Area Veteran Community Center, further supporting the infrastructure needed to assist veterans effectively.

Statements of Support

Andy McCawley, President and CEO, New England Center and Home for Veterans:

“The New England Center and Home for Veterans is honored to strengthen its partnership with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in support of those who have served through the Executive Office of Veterans’ Services, Housing Outreach to Placement (HOPE) Grant. These important resources will enable the Center and its partner, the Pine Street Inn, to broaden outreach efforts throughout Eastern Massachusetts and provide a full range of support services to Veterans in-need. This is an important step forward for Massachusetts, as it works towards achieving functional zero for Veteran homelessness in the State.” 

Charles E. Gagnon, Volunteers of America Massachusetts:

“We are grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for the commitment it has demonstrated to ending veteran homelessness,” said Charles E. Gagnon, the President & CEO of VOAMASS, which operates the Massachusetts Bay Veterans Center.  “We know from experience that the solution must involve integrated, whole-person care that not only addresses the loss of housing, but the comprehensive needs of the men and women who have put their life on the line for our freedom.  Today’s announcement brings us closer to this ideal.”

Melvyn Blanchard, Resident Volunteers of America Massachusetts:

“I am so grateful for all the help I’ve received from VOAMASS,” said Melvyn Blanchard, resident at the MBVC.  “I have always felt cared for and encouraged by the staff, and I am glad that because of these grants, more veterans like me will get the support they need.”

Bruce Buckley, CEO & President, Soldier On:

“Soldier On is honored to be a recipient of the HOPE grant created by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Executive Office of Veterans Services (EOVS). Governor Healy and Secretary Santiago are effectively processing the resources that are necessary to end veteran homelessness in the Commonwealth. Soldier On is acutely aware that this funding is the result of listening to the at-risk veterans and delivering services that meet their needs. This program provides support where it is critically needed to help change how the story ends for one veteran at a time.” 

Jason Gilbert, Chief Operations Officer, Clear Path for Veterans New England:

"Clear Path for Veterans New England is honored to be named a recipient of the HOPE Award. This opportunity empowers us to significantly expand and elevate our outreach initiatives across multiple communities, with a dedicated focus on addressing and preventing Veteran homelessness. Our 'boots on the ground' approach will allow us to extend our reach to Veterans who are in or nearing crisis, enabling us to swiftly identify issues and implement effective solutions. This award reinforces our commitment to ensuring that no Veteran is left behind."

Constance “Dolly” Lariviere, LADC, LPN, Southeastern Massachusetts Veterans Housing Program, Inc.:

“This new initiative will provide comprehensive support services to veterans, including assistance with securing housing, scheduling appointments to view affordable housing options, and obtaining funding to make their permanent residence a reality. Veterans struggling with behavioral health including substance use disorders will also have access to counseling services from VTH’s Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor.”