The Department of Veterans Affairs chose not to renew its generous grant in support of Back Bay Mission’s Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program. This program, providing services for homeless and at-risk veterans on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, will end on September 30, 2014.
This year, the Mission attempted to build upon its success with the SSVF program by applying for additional funds from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Because of the size of the increase requested, the Mission was required to apply for funding as though it were a new applicant. While the Mission was confident that its past success would make it an attractive candidate for additional funding, the VA chose to cut all funding. Back Bay Mission had regularly served twice the number of veterans the SSVF program was designed for, and felt that it would be better able to serve even more veterans with more financial assistance in order to give them greater success at sustainability.
The Mission’s SSVF program was also the only such program in Harrison County, Mississippi. At any given time, there are an estimated 400 homeless veterans in Mississippi.
Ending homelessness in our communities is a formidable challenge. Back Bay Mission will continue to take up the challenge but it needs your assistance. People interested in providing assistance to homeless veterans through gifts to Back Bay Mission may do so through our veterans fund. This fund provides services to veterans through the Mission’s other ministries.
HomePort, Back Bay Mission other major service to homeless veterans, currently provides permanent supportive housing to two veterans in a duplex on Division Street. Construction is underway to build six additional units, and is on track to be completed by the end of November. This program is not affected by the elimination of SSVF.
