Congratulations to the 2014 HAND Housing Award Winners! We are so excited to honor these groups at the 23^rd Annual Meeting and Housing Expo for the important and innovative work they are doing in our communities. We’d also like to extend a special thanks to our Housing Award judges, Marie Bibbs, Retired Bank Executive; Conrad Egan, Senior Advisor, Affordable Housing Institute; Matt Hoffman, VP, Innovation, Enterprise Community Partners; for their dedication and commitment to this process. For more information on the upcoming Annual Meeting and to find out more about our Housing Awardees, please visit the Annual Meeting Registration Page. 

Help END the DC Family Homelessness Crisis.  500 Families, 100 Days.  Join HAND member Transitional Housing Corporation  and others in the D.C. affordable housing community in this dynamic campaign.  Do you have apartments that you can lease to homeless families moving from the DC General Shelter and area hotels to help get them out of the homeless system? Spread the word to your members, supporters and networks.  Attend the April 17, 2014 kick-off information event. Email pdonaldson@thcdc.org or chunter@thcdc.org for more information.  @500families100days

A regional organization, headquartered in Washington, D.C., Veterans on the Rise (VOTR) provides needed housing and holistic services to the country’s most vulnerable population: U.S. military veterans and their families. Having serviced more than 200 homeless or transitioning veterans in the past three years, the organization is well adept at partnering with those in need who are seeking not only transitional housing, but to build life skills, self-esteem and employment opportunities while working to resolve ongoing mental or medical healthcare issues.

And this organization of transformation has had notable success over the past twelve months as it grows rapidly in the region.  While providing access to affordable housing to veterans for periods ranging from 60 days to 6 months, VOTR nimbly connects supportive services to its program that help veterans “save their own lives.” Over the past year, more than 95% of its veterans participated in enrichment activities outside of their designated housing community for either two or three times a week in order to receive life skills enhancement, mental health counseling and employment opportunities. Through efforts such as those, 65% of its veterans have increased their income and their vocational skills, and more than 90% have completed a financial literacy and employment services program within 30 days of admission to VOTR.

“We help veterans rebuild their lives, readjust to their communities and regain their dignity,” said Melanie Avery, head of philanthropy and public affairs for the nonprofit.

The Department of Veteran Affairs, the Department of Mental Health Services and a few other funding sources provide financing to help run VOTR’s programs. However, as with other community development organizations, additional funding sources are always needed.

“We believe that we have a model that is working well for the veterans we serve and are excited about growing and expanding as the time moves forward,” continues Avery. “However funding remains one of the toughest challenges we face on a consistent basis, especially working within the D.C. are where the cost of doing business is significantly higher than other regional areas.”

But as with all great transformers, VOTR is looking to the future and creating even more dynamic programs to support veterans. It’s currently working on creating a mentoring program in the District for returning veterans wishing to reintegrate into their communities and avoid recidivism. Additionally, the organization is also considering options for developing property to support the needs of veterans who are homeless, transiting, or reintegrating into the community as returning citizens.

As a new member, VOTR is already seeing the benefits of joining HAND. As a member, the organization is connecting with other groups that understand that go beyond the organizations’ current cadre of programs.

“If I need to reach out to someone with a development or program-related question, the network is ever present with supportive insights on how to best move forward,” shares Avery. “VOTR is very excited about joining a network of such highly professional people who have keen interests in economic development and social good.”

HAND is pleased to spotlight the VOTR, which certainly contributes to our organization’s COLLABORATION, INNOVATION and TRANSFORMATION for the metropolitan area!