MAYOR PALMIERI INTRODUCES TASK FORCE TO END VETERANS HOMELESSNESS IN THE CITY OF UTICA

Task Force is Part of City’s Participation in the White House’s Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness

Mayor Robert Palmieri today announced a 10 member task force to devise strategies to end Veteran homelessness in the City of Utica.

The task force is comprised of community partners that will work in conjunction with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to find housing for displaced or homeless Veterans living in Utica.

The Mayor’s Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness, which began in June 2014, works to remove barriers to affordable housing for Veterans experiencing chronic homelessness.

The City of Utica was one of the first City’s in the country to join the Mayor’s Challenge to End Veterans Homelessness and Mayor Palmieri attended its unveiling ceremony in the White House last year.

This effort will facilitate collaboration among City staff, local Veterans groups, federal, state and local agencies and community partners to identify all currently homeless Veterans living within the city and find them permanent housing solutions.

Mayor Palmieri stated, “By working as a team, the City of Utica can help give back to the brave men and women who have given up so much for us. Our mission is to eliminate Veteran’s homelessness by the end of the year.”

The Mayor continued, “If you are a homeless Veteran or know a homeless Veteran it is imperative that you contact us so we can help.”

HUD Albany Field Office Director Jaime Forero stated “HUD is proud to join with the City of Utica and our partners at the VA to find the permanent housing needed to eliminate homelessness among our military Veterans.”

Members of the task force represent the following organizations: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Soldier On, Central New York Services (CNYS), Mohawk Valley Homelessness Coalition, Central New York Veterans Outreach Center (CNYVOC), Utica Municipal Housing Authority, City of Utica Section 8, AmeriCorps Vista and Oneida County Department of Social Services (DSS)

If you are a Veteran and are currently homelessness, please contact:

Soldier On

1.866.406.8449                       24/7

VA Homeless Hotline

1.877.424.3838                       24/7

CNY Veterans Outreach Center

315.765.0975                         8:00am to 4:30pm