Starting Monday, Oct. 13, Mayor Andy Berke’s office is partnering with local agencies and community members to register and survey Chattanooga’s homeless veterans. In an event called Registry Week, teams of volunteers will canvas city streets in the early morning hours of Oct. 13-15. Their mission is to produce an accurate by-name list of identified veterans who are experiencing homelessness.
“We can only begin to attack the issue of chronic veteran’s homelessness when we understand the size and impact of the problem. That’s why Registry Week is such an important next step,” said Mayor Berke. “Through the registry, we will not only create a more stable count of the number of veterans living on the streets of Chattanooga but also learn crucial details on each veteran’s health and their history of homelessness.”
Mayor Berke publically pledged to end chronic veteran homelessness in Chattanooga on April 21, 2014, during his first State of the City address. The next day, the Mayor signed an executive order establishing a community coalition to eradicate chronic veteran homelessness. On June 4, 2014, Mayor Berke joined First Lady Michelle Obama in committing to end veteran homelessness in Chattanooga.
Volunteers are needed to help conduct the survey. Each volunteer will receive a t-shirt to be worn during the event. To volunteer, contact Lasal Hines at (423) 567-3617.
Landlords are needed to donate housing units.
Homeless individuals are encouraged to participate by spreading the word and spending about 10 minutes to complete the voluntary survey. People who complete the survey will receive a $5 gift card to thank them for their time.
Registry Week is part of a model from the 100,000 Homes Campaign, coordinated by a national organization called Community Solutions, which identifies people who are homeless, then tracks progress and improves local systems. In the 186 communities which have used it, more than 105,000 people, including over 31,000 veterans, have been housed.
Marshal Mize Ford is providing the $5 food gift cards that will be given as a thank you to homeless individuals who participate in the survey.
Source: Mayor Berke’s office