Homeless veterans would receive housing and help finding jobs at a 100-unit apartment building proposed for midtown Omaha.
The 100,000-square-foot, four-story building would be a joint project of the regional VA health system and Volunteers of America-Dakotas, a nonprofit organization based in Sioux Falls, S.D.
The project is proposed for the north side of Pacific Street between 39th and 40th Streets, said John Hart of Volunteers of America.
Hart said his organization hopes to start construction next year and complete the project in 12 to 16 months after that.
An information meeting for neighbors, businesses and others will be from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday in the first floor Education Conference Room at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 4101 Woolworth Ave.
The building would have 50 studio apartments, and most of the other units would have one bedroom, said Linda Twomey of the VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System. There would be several two-bedroom units.
The housing would be primarily for homeless veterans but also for other low-income veterans, she said.
One floor of the building would have office space for counselors and case managers who would help the veterans find jobs and provide assistance such as enrolling for VA health benefits, she said.
Some of the social service workers would be VA employees. Others would work for outside agencies.
Twomey said the apartment building would be constructed and managed by Volunteers of America, which works to prevent homelessness. The organization operates a housing project for veterans in Sioux Falls.
Funding for the project has not been set, but it could include federal dollars, Twomey said.
The project would be the biggest local effort she is aware of to provide housing for homeless veterans.
Twomey said the 50 studio units could have free rent through a federal program for homeless veterans.
She said the remaining units would qualify for Section 8, the federal housing program that offers low-income people a government-subsidized rent voucher.
There is a need for more housing for homeless veterans, particularly projects that also provide on-site social services, said Erin Porterfield, executive director of the Metro Area Continuum of Care for the Homeless.
An estimated 900 veterans are homeless throughout the year in the Omaha area, the VA says.
Twomey said homelessness is a major obstacle to receiving health care, even for veterans who qualify for VA medical benefits.
Taking medications on time, caring for diabetes and other chronic conditions, and scheduling doctor appointments is tougher for those who are homeless.
Jamie Grayson-Berglund, executive director of Destination Midtown, said her group supports the project.
“If you want a vibrant, inclusive community, you need to consider all its residents,” she said. “Regardless of income or lifestyle, there is a place for you in midtown.”
Jim Thompson, president of the Leavenworth Neighborhood Association, said his organization does not yet have a position on the project and wants more information. He said he personally likes the idea of helping homeless veterans.
The project is scheduled for review next month by the Omaha Planning Board, said Chad Weaver, assistant planning director.
Contact the writer:
444-1122, michael.oconnor@owh.com
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