NYC Homeless Veterans Advisory Board
Executive Summary
The Veterans Justice Project proposes the creation of the NYC Homeless Veterans Advisory Board, an independent, veteran-led body dedicated to ensuring that veterans with lived experience of homelessness have a meaningful voice in the policies, programs, and services that affect them.
The Advisory Board will serve as a forum for homeless and formerly homeless veterans to identify barriers, develop recommendations, share experiences, and engage stakeholders committed to improving outcomes for veterans experiencing housing instability throughout New York City.
The guiding principle of the Board is simple:
"Nothing About Us Without Us."
Veterans who have experienced homelessness possess unique knowledge and insight that cannot be replicated through reports, statistics, or professional observation alone. Their lived experience is an essential resource for improving veteran services and developing effective solutions.
Background
New York City is home to one of the largest veteran populations in the United States. While significant resources are dedicated to addressing veteran homelessness, many veterans continue to face challenges accessing housing, healthcare, transportation, benefits, employment opportunities, and community support.
Too often, homeless veterans are discussed without being included in the conversation.
The NYC Homeless Veterans Advisory Board seeks to change that by creating a structured opportunity for veterans with lived experience to participate in identifying challenges and proposing practical solutions.
Mission
To amplify the voices of veterans experiencing homelessness and to promote policies, programs, and services that improve housing stability, health, safety, dignity, and quality of life for homeless and formerly homeless veterans.
Goals
The Advisory Board will:
- Elevate the voices of homeless and formerly homeless veterans.
- Identify barriers to housing, healthcare, employment, and supportive services.
- Encourage collaboration among veterans, service providers, government agencies, and community organizations.
- Promote transparency and accountability within veteran-serving systems.
- Develop recommendations based on lived experience and practical solutions.
- Foster peer leadership and civic engagement among veterans.
- Support initiatives that improve outcomes for vulnerable veterans.
Proposed Membership
Membership should prioritize veterans with lived experience of homelessness and include representation from diverse backgrounds and housing situations.
The Board will seek participation from:
- Current shelter residents
- Veterans in transitional housing
- Veterans in supportive housing
- Unsheltered veterans
- Women veterans
- Disabled veterans
- Veterans enrolled in VA programs
- Formerly homeless veterans who have successfully transitioned into permanent housing
In addition, the Veterans Justice Project supports expanding lived-experience representation on veteran-focused advisory bodies through the inclusion of:
- One current resident of the Borden Avenue Veterans Residence selected by fellow residents;
- One female veteran currently experiencing homelessness;
- One VA-enrolled veteran experiencing homelessness who is not a resident of Borden Avenue; and
- One formerly homeless veteran who has successfully obtained permanent housing.
- Areas of Focus
The Advisory Board will examine issues including:
- Housing
- Shelter and transitional housing conditions
- Permanent housing access
- Voucher utilization
- Housing retention
- Healthcare
- Access to VA healthcare
- Mental health services
- Substance use treatment
- Preventive and specialty care
- Transportation
- Transportation barriers affecting access to services
- Access to VA facilities and appointments
- Benefits and Employment
- Benefits navigation
- Workforce development
- Financial stability
- Community Integration
- Social support
- Volunteer opportunities
- Community engagement
- Veteran peer support
- Special Populations
- Women veterans
- Aging veterans
- Disabled veterans
- Veteran families
- Activities
The Advisory Board will conduct:
- Veteran roundtable discussions
- Listening sessions
- Surveys and community outreach
- Educational workshops
- Stakeholder meetings
- Public reports and recommendations
- Collaboration with veteran-serving organizations
The Board will operate as a constructive forum focused on identifying problems, discussing solutions, and promoting best practices.
Expected Outcomes
Through regular engagement and collaboration, the Advisory Board aims to:
- Increase veteran participation in decision-making processes.
- Improve communication between veterans and service providers.
- Identify service gaps and barriers.
- Promote veteran-centered solutions.
- Strengthen community partnerships.
- Improve outcomes for veterans experiencing homelessness.
- Call for Participation
