Latest news with #MACV
CBS News
4 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
MACV's Summer Salute connects veterans with lifesaving resources, with help from WCCO viewers
In Minnesota's latest budget agreement, the state's veterans got a little over $1 million in funding. On Tuesday, Hundreds of veterans were connected to lifesaving resources at the third annual Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans' Summer Salute at CHS Field. The largest of its kind, high-impact outreach features 77 service providers to deliver critical same-day support to homeless and at-risk veterans. "Every two years the state does a new budget, and this year was tight for a lot of programs," said Brian Peterson. MACV was one of those organizations concerned because its funding was on the chopping block, meaning many veterans would be at risk of losing their housing, among other things. "We had to make the case for why this money matters, how it makes a difference in our homelessness response system," Peterson said. "We got the tools in place that if they are homeless are a risk of losing their housing, we can help them on a pathway to housing stability." Phone calls and emails from WCCO's viewers made the difference. "We are fully restored on funding from the state and the system is strong and we really believe that we continue to build on it, " Peterson said. It's a win for all veterans, including Dy'wane Bailey. "I had brain surgery, bro, scar right there, you see it, go right here, " said Bailey. Recently retired, he fell on hard times after a health scare. "Aneurysm, stroke and a seizure, "Bailey said. "I didn't have to worry about losing my voucher, I didn't have to worry about it, their main concern was me getting healthy again, " Bailey said. He and others are thankful for community support that led to events like these that connect veterans with much-needed resources to avoid them being homeless. "They are talking about cutting funding from the VA, firing people and stuff, so when you have other entities to step up that makes a difference, " Bailey said. The Legislature passed the veteran resources bill at the end of May. MACV thanks WCCO viewers for helping lawmakers understand the importance of supporting veterans.
CBS News
25-04-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Advocates warn proposed bill could increase veteran homelessness in Minnesota
Previous state leadership prioritized ending veteran homelessness. Now, lawmakers are looking at eliminating state-funded direct financial assistance that helps veterans. "The House committee has, it was an 80% cut to the Department of Veterans Affairs housing line item in their budget," said Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans CEO Neil Loidolt. In 2024, 2,883 veterans walked through the doors of MACV looking for help. According to Loidolt, proposed Minnesota House bill HF 2444 will dismantle the system designed to get veterans in a home and the care they need to be whole. "The real progress over the last couple of years has come with the chronic and long-term homeless population," Loidolt said. Loidolt testified in front of lawmakers that eliminating funding could more than double the state's homeless veteran registry. "When I met MACV, I was in a very dark place," said Marine veteran Ramel Winston. Winston is one of many veterans who say the state's MNVEST voucher program helped subsidize their rent. He is worried that veterans looking for help will not have the resources to find stability and live with dignity. "A man that puts his life on the line for his country should be able to come home and have the help he needs to be where he needs to be," Winston said. MNVEST is one of three programs that could end July 1 if funding is eliminated. Two hundred housing units throughout the state and financial assistance that supports more than 600 veterans' households are also on the chopping block. "The greatest risk is there are 92 veterans that have one of those state vouchers, so if you are in that category, when your voucher comes up for expiration, it won't be renewed," said Loidolt. Loidolt does not want the hard work MACV has done to end veteran homelessness to stop. He hopes concerned Minnesotans let lawmakers know this is not the way to honor our veterans. "Send a note that says, 'Hey, we don't think the state of Minnesota should be abandoning homeless veterans right now, find the money,'" Loidolt said. MACV says it sees new veterans needing its help to find a home every month.
CBS News
21-04-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Veterans housing initiative breaks ground on 15th Minnesota home
A new housing project in St. Paul is helping the ongoing effort to end veteran homelessness. The groundbreaking for the 15th home in the Housing for Heroes initiative took place Monday. The effort is a partnership between the Housing First Minnesota Foundation, homebuilder Lennar and the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV). The St. Paul site will feature a three-bedroom main home and an accessible dwelling unit (ADU) in the backyard. "So we're standing at the site of our 15th home for heroes in partnership with Lennar and Housing First Minnesota," Sarah Regal, chief housing officer for MACV, said. MACV says the homes provide both transitional and permanent housing for veterans who face significant barriers, including criminal records or long histories of homelessness, that can keep them out of traditional rental markets. "A lot of the veterans that we serve maybe have a long-term history of homelessness, might have some justice involvement, that might make a traditional landlord say, 'I'm sorry we can't accept your application,'" Regal said. "So we really serve the vets that often have no other places to go." The program prioritizes flexibility — serving individuals, families and senior veterans, many of whom need accessible living arrangements. About half of MACV's clients are 55 or older. "We get to house single adults, we get to house families, people who are in transition or people who are ready for something more permanent," Regal said. Lennar Vice President of Operations Scott Rothrum said the new home will be a slab-on-grade build with three bedrooms, while the ADU will be designed with accessibility in mind. "It'll have three bedrooms, and then on the back side, we'll also have an ADU. More one-level living in the event that somebody is more confined to being in a wheelchair or walker," Rothrum said. Rothrum has helped oversee the construction of 13 homes with the initiative. "Each new home we construct brings a sense of excitement, knowing that a deserving veteran will soon have a place to call home," he said. Acquiring land for these homes is often a challenge. The St. Paul lot was previously owned by the city and transferred to Dayton's Bluff Home Ownership before being donated for this project. "We worked with them for quite a long period of time to make sure that they were really excited and comfortable with being a partnership with us," Regal said. Once construction is complete, MACV staff will go door-to-door to introduce themselves to neighbors. "A lot of folks will see our flag go up and say, 'We're excited to have you here,'" Regal said. During Monday's ceremony, Regal said that while progress has been made, the work is far from finished. "There's a very, very real veteran and a very, very real family that is afraid right now, who doesn't have the home they need," she said. "We need to continue to serve those that have served us, and make sure that every veteran in the state of Minnesota really does have a long-term, stable housing opportunity."
