Detroit is one of the large cities in the last mile of functional zero for veteran homelessness in Built for Zero. As they continue working toward this goal, the veteran service providers in the community wanted a way to broadly affirm their commitment to the approach and philosophy of Housing First.
Created in partnership with Veterans Affairs (VA), this new video explains what Housing First is, what individuals being served by the system should expect, and how the community will support them on their way to being housed. The goal is that every veteran in the system — regardless of where they are in it — can interact with this accessible information.
Watch Detroit’s video:
Show your communities’ support of Housing First
We have created a version that communities can use to adapt the video to their own context, or just use the animated portion. Click here to view a version that removes references to Detroit. We hope that veteran-serving organizations and their employees will use, view, and share this valuable resource to support the buy-in and implementation of the Housing First approach across all service providers.
Download the video for use at your own veteran-serving organization
If you are having trouble accessing the video files for download, please contact at comms@community.solutions for assistance.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
PART I: ANIMATED/generic
We can make a reality where veteran homelessness rarely occurs, and is brief when it does.
And we are continuing to make progress, guided by our shared understanding that a home ends homelessness.
Homelessness is traumatic, and the path out of it can be challenging. We want the journey home to feel as supported and direct as possible.
That’s why our entire community of providers is working together to try and make
every support we offer,
every temporary stop someone takes,
a step towards a permanent, safe, place to call home.
That’s why we are proud to be a community that embraces Housing First.
What is Housing First?
Housing First means we prioritize getting a veteran into housing, then provide them with the wraparound support they need to stay housed.
This approach allows us to support a foundation for health, recovery, and well being, while reducing the harm and trauma that accompanies being unhoused.
- Everyone is believed to be ready for housing. People aren’t screened out due to low or no income, lack of sobriety, or other issues.
- Services are offered, but voluntary. Housing first doesn’t mean housing only. We offer services to support stability and individual well-being, but they are not a condition of tenancy in housing.
- Housing First is supported by evidence. Providing housing for our unhoused neighbors is a proven approach that ensures people can rebuild their lives.
PART II: LIVE ACTION/Community-specific
Our community is committed to creating a reality where veteran homelessness is rare, brief, and non-recurring.
<< Film and integrate a video of each provider with their name and organization name on screen (lower third or other) >>
- [Organization Name] is proud to support Housing First.
- [Organization Name] is proud to support Housing First.
- [Organization Name] is proud to support Housing First.
- [Organization Name] is proud to support Housing First.
We’re all proud to support Housing First in Detroit.
End Card
<< List all the providers names >>
Together, we can end veteran homelessness.
