The Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans (DCHV)

The Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans (DCHV)

DCHV (domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans) is an initiative by the Department of VA and is one of the oldest programs. Set up in the late 1980s, DCHV initial aim was to cater for incapacitated volunteer soldiers during the civil war. It was then improved from a “soldier’s home” to rehab and treatment initiative for both male and female ex-soldiers and was integrated with MH RRTPs (Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation and Treatment Programs. To learn more about this visit: www.va.gov/homeless/dchv.asp.

HUD-VASH

This is a partnership program by the Housing program and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which aims at providing housing and continuous health services to the “harder to serve” displaced ex-soldiers who suffer from mental illness and drug addiction. The 8th Section of HUD’s program has 1,780 vouchers, totaling to 44.5 USD million for the homeless severe mentally sick ex-soldiers. VA employees at over thirty-five sites give out clinical care, continuous case management, and outreach services. This program has helped reduce the days that mental ill and drug addicted homeless ex-soliders suffer. To participate in this program, you must be a VA health care qualified veteran and meet government definitions of homelessness.

Case management services are available to help veterans get placement in independent community housing. Those who need case management services have severe mental sickness, physical inability, or have a drug addiction problem. Candidates who qualify for the program need to use the supportive services, aid and treatment recommendation so as to recover and get housing in the community.

HUD-VASH ensures that qualified displaced veterans get permanent housing, whether you are single or have a family. Since HUD-VASH caters for ex-soldier suffering from medical, mental and drug disorder, qualifying ex-soldiers will need to be able to do tasks of daily living and also live on their won in the community, with case management and support services.

You will need to get in touch with your local VA Homeless Program to get the HUD-VASH application form, Ex-soldiers can contact HUD-VASH program directly or get a referral from a case supervisor.

4 Comments
  • Cindy Koenigsberg
    Posted at 06:55h, 04 November Reply

    Beth what state are you located in? To my knowledge there are Domicillaries sorry my spelling sucks, anyways, the Veteran’s Affairs’ has theesebin all of the states. To become eligible for services you must be a veteran, be homeless, be sober, and be able to take care of all your daily living activities(is eating, dressing yourself, brushing your teeth, tiring your shoes, etc). You don’t have to have an addiction problem. That is a different program, called SUD or the 28 day program. Although this program is usually on the same facility as the Homeless program (both in the “Dom”. They are separate programs and have separate eligibly to become a resident. For the SUD you must have an addiction. For the homeless program at the DOM you don’t you must be sober on your admittance to the program and have at least 30days sobriety. For the drug and alcolhol program you must have a drug or alcohol program, but you don’t have to be homeless. You can go there for 30 days to learn the skills necessary to obtain and maintain sobriety in the outside world.
    If you are homeless and have an addiction that you would get admitted to the SUD program and apply for the DOM program. That way you learn to stay sober and than learn the skills necessary to maintain employment, permanent housing, and while you are there you would go to classes for these amongst other important life skills classes to prepare you for an independent life. And than you would go look for a job and hopefully get one. Than you would stay there and save up money for your place to live once you graduate the program in 90-120 days. Sometimes extensions are given. But that impends on the facility and the person it’s a case by case basis. The SUD is like a drug and alcohol rehab. The Dom is like a transitional housing program. Sometimes Veteran’s need both sometimes one and sometimes the other. Also there are some other programs like HUD VASH which is a government programs that assists with paying a percentage of your rent if you qualify with income restrictions or requirements, and there are also shelters like the GI Forum which give temporary transitional assistance. Talk to a social worker at your nearest VA hospital and they can get you into the programs that is most appropriate for your situation. I wish you the best, don’t give up, the VA will help you, you are worth it, your a veteran. I’m sorry your in that situation and I hope that you make it out soon. Please don’t be afraid to ask for help. Go to the nearest VA or call the homeless VA hotline. God bless

  • Beth Carey
    Posted at 19:16h, 05 January Reply

    Please help me!

    I am looking for a VA Domicillary to stay in. I am a homeless female veteran. I am currently staying in a motel, but I am running out of money.

    I don’t use drugs or alcohol, but I do have anxiety issues.

    Please help me!
    Thank you,
    Beth Carey
    Elizabeth L Carey

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