Los Angeles, CA. – California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) Acting Secretary Rocky Chavez today signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with several Southern California homeless veteran service providers, giving “graduates” from their programs priority consideration for admission to the Veterans Homes of California.

“There are many great organizations in California that have been working tirelessly to help our states’ homeless veterans,” said Chavez. “I’m grateful that CalVet and these groups are jointly exploring different options for collaboration on ways we can all play a role in helping our State’s homeless and at-risk veterans rejoin society.”

More than a dozen representatives from local non-profit organizations, government agencies and legislators’ offices participated in an open house where CalVet staff provided them with an inside view of the services offered at the state veterans homes and discussed housing collaboration opportunities between the area’s homeless veteran service providers and CalVet.

Among the organizations that signed an MOU with CalVet are People Assisting The Homeless (PATH) and New Directions.

The open house included a presentation on CalVet’s findings on where gaps exist in state services that effect homeless veterans. Upon conclusion of the presentation many of the local area organizations signed MOUs or finalized agreements for signature at a later time.

“Times are tough right now, and State agencies often have difficulty providing adequate services and opportunities for people experiencing homelessness. When a State agency puts its resources to work helping organizations like PATH, it really is a breath of fresh air,” said John Molloy, Chief Operating Officer. “PATH is proud to work alongside CalVet in the fight to end veteran homelessness.”

Acting Secretary Chavez has traveled throughout the state touring more than a dozen homeless veterans programs. As a result, CalVet has found that there is an immediate need for housing collaboration to serve our homeless veterans’ community. For more information regarding veterans benefits resources please visit: www.cdva.ca.gov/VetService/Overview.aspx