HUD Mississippi Team Offers Resources for Veterans
Partners with Jackson's public transportation

Information on job opportunities, available housing, and mental health options were offered to the veterans at the expo and throughout Jackson's public transportation system.

The HUD Mississippi office appreciates and values the contributions that veterans have made to our country. For this reason the employees were happy to sponsor and participate in several activities for veterans in fiscal year 2015, through the leadership of Anthony McIntyre, Public and Indian Housing Division Public Revitalization Specialist and VASH lead. The team is most proud of two Mississippi HUD initiated activities: The HUD-VASH Pre-Memorial Day Mobile Unit Expo, and a partnership with the City of Jackson public transportation system (JATRAN) to provide information on HUD housing options, including the VASH program.

The HUD-VASH Pre-Memorial Day Mobile Unit Expo was held on May 20, 2015. The purpose of the event was to provide information about registering for VA benefits, obtaining mental health counseling, job opportunities within Jackson, and available housing options to veterans who were entering the federal building for other services. Anthony enlisted the services of the G.V. Sonny Montgomery VA Medical Center's Mobile Hospital, the local Combat Veterans Center, and the City of Jackson's Jobs Network to assure that these veterans were provided information on resources available to veterans. More than 60 veterans were assisted during the event. Some were provided with information on how to upgrade their DD214 status from "other than honorable discharge" to "honorable discharge" in order to receive services through the VA system.

The partnership with JATRAN allowed for the distribution of 2,500 HUD-VASH flyers/brochures throughout the city's transit system. Additionally, posters detailing other resources for veterans were placed in areas of the City that are significantly impacted by chronic homelessness, with the intent that veterans will be able to use the information to find housing, become employed, and receive services through the VA Medical Center.

More than 60 veterans were assisted by the multiagency team during the Mobile Unit Expo.

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