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MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — The Martinsburg Veterans Affairs Medical Center in West Virginia will take part in its 15th annual Hero Haven Homeless Veteran Stand Down Saturday, November 4th.
It’s a program aimed at providing medical screening, employment support, housing services, and clothing to eligible homeless Veterans, according to VA Medical Center Public Affairs Specialist Lona Lozinski.
Homelessness among Veterans has become a critical issue nationwide. About one-third of the adult homeless population are Veterans, with an estimated 131,000 Veterans on the streets any given night. The number of homeless Vietnam Veterans is greater than the number of service persons who died in that war. Roughly, 56 percent are African American or Hispanic.
This year, the total number of veterans without homes stands at about 40,401, according to the National Association of American Veterans.
Lozinski said they are trying to reach veterans where they are, even if they aren’t ready to come inside.
For more information or to help out locally, call 304 263 0811 ext 3310 
The Veterans Administration explains the Hero Haven Homeless Veteran Stand Down is
–an annual focal point for ongoing efforts to ensure every Veteran has a safe, stable place to call home in this country they fought to defend. On the
day of the Stand Down, staff will be working to get Veterans in need of housing or support to come to the Medical Center where they can obtain resources, including:
Flu/COVID vaccines, general health care support; comfort items.
Women’s Health Care services, Substance Abuse Treatment, PTSD Services, Mental Health Services (inpatient & outpatient) and Domiciliary Services.
Housing Services: Homeless Veteran Services such as Grant and Per Diem Transitional Housing, HUD-VASH, Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF), and local community services.
Employment Support: Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) including job/employment services and Compensated Work Therapy.
Other VA and Community Services: Veteran Benefits Administration, Vet Centers, Veterans Service Organizations, Legal Aid Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous Meetings and more.
