November 13, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — Mayor Thomas M. Menino today announced a $97,000 grant to the New England Center for Homeless Veterans and called on property owners to rent an apartment to a hero looking for a place to call home. The grant, funded by the City’s Department of Neighborhood Development, will enable the New England Center for Homeless Veterans to find affordable apartments for veterans, especially those who have been issued a VASH (Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing) voucher, used for rental assistance, case management and clinical services. Since 2009, Boston has successfully housed 292 formerly homeless veterans with VASH vouchers.
Mayor Menino marked Veterans Day by asking all Boston residents and property owners to remember our returning heroes. “Our veterans risked their lives to protect the freedoms we enjoy today,” Mayor Menino said. “Now, it’s our turn to ensure these heroes have roofs over their heads and access to the assistance they need.”
In late 2011, the Mayor launched the Boston Continuum of Care Homeless and At-risk Advisory Group to mitigate homelessness among returning veterans. This unprecedented effort involving nearly 15 governmental and nonprofit entities that serve veterans, including the City of Boston’s Office of Veterans Affairs, the State Office of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Neighborhood Development, the Boston Public Health Commission, the Boston Housing Authority, Veterans Administration Health Care Services, the New England Center for Homeless Veterans, Pine Street Inn, St. Francis House, the Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance, Project Place, and HomeStart.
In addition to working on providing affordable housing, the Boston Continuum of Care Homeless and At-risk Advisory Group also provide access to social services and job assistance. The Advisory Group meets quarterly and is charged with coordinating housing and services to meet the needs of our returning heroes.
Several events will take place in the City this weekend to honor local veterans:
Sunday, November 11
- Annual Veterans Day Parade, 1:00 p.m., Charles and Beacon Streets. Salute those who protected our country at Boston’s Annual Veterans Day Parade. The parade begins at the corner of Charles and Beacon Streets at the Boston Common and ends at City Hall Plaza.
- Massachusetts Department of Veterans Services Annual Veterans Day Ceremony, 10 a.m., Massachusetts State House, Hall of Flags. This annual event honors the men and women who served in the U.S. Armed Forces and all that they have done in service of our country.
- 2nd Annual Veteran’s Day “Wall of Honor” Dedication, 10:30 a.m., German Centre (Deutsches Altenheim) for Extended Care, 2222 Centre Street, West Roxbury. Friends, family and residents of the German Centre will come together to unveil the “Wall of Honor,” located off the German Centre lobby.
- Cape Verdean Veterans Day Salute, Mega Show, Pre-event show 4:30-6:30 p.m., Speaking program 7 p.m., Strand Theatre. CUSAV Entertainment, an organization dedicated to supporting non-profit organizations through the Cape Verde Islands which fund children’s programs, offer the annual MEGA SHOW event to bring awareness to the plight of the Cape Verdean community. This year the group pays homage to American soldiers by dedicating this show in their honor. Commissioner Urena will extend greetings and appreciation on behalf of Mayor Menino.
Monday, November 12
- VFW Post 561 – Thomas J. Fitzgerald Post – Veterans Day Memorial, 8-10 a.m., 715 East Fourth St. South Boston. Observing the 61st Annual Veterans Day Memorial, services include parade march to St. Brigid’s Chapel, and a memorial Mass followed by a brunch at Cushing Hall, Lower Church.
- Albanian-American War Veterans Annual Luncheon, 12-2 p.m., Anthony’s Pier 4. In a new partnership to promote Veterans Day in the Albanian Community, Commissioner Urena will join the lunch time celebration in honor of all Albanian American WWII veterans living in the Greater Boston area.
For more information about Veterans Day events and City services, visit http://www.cityofboston.gov/veterans/.
Contact:
Kerry O’Brien
KOBrien.dnd (at) cityofboston (dot) gov
