CRESTVIEW — Ten local veterans won't have to worry about homelessness.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded $60,331 to the local HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program.

Under the HUD-VASH initiative, the Crestview Housing Authority works with the VA to house homeless veterans.

"It is a collaboration nationally with the VA and HUD, and it gets down to the local level," said Eric Oleson, the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System's Biloxi-based homeless veteran program manager. The system serves eligible veterans in the Florida Panhandle, and in the Mobile, Ala., and Biloxi areas.

Under Crestview's HUD-VASH program, "We could house 10 more veterans (individuals or families)" with the approved funding, Lynda Carmical, CHA's senior housing manager, said.

That's a boost compared to the CHA's last HUD-VASH award, which in 2012 covered 15 households, she said.

Veterans can rent a home within 10 miles of the Crestview jurisdiction, she said.

Here's how the program works:

•Interested veterans apply to the VA to qualify for a voucher, which pays a portion or all of their rent, depending on income.

In addition, Oleson said, "We do outreach at food pantries, camps (and) shelters on a weekly basis. If someone says they're a veteran, we will verify that, do the assessment and, if they're not enrolled in health care at the VA, we will get them enrolled."

•The VA checks the applicant's income. "If you make more than $1,500 a month (in a one-person household) you would not be eligible for HUD-VASH," Oleson said. "That's gonna go up if you're married, if you have children — it's gonna slightly go up." 

•The VA checks the applicant's criminal history. Sex offenders are not eligible for the program.

•The VA prioritizes the case. Combat veterans, families and disabled veterans are among top priorities, Oleson said.

In addition: "Are they chronically homeless?" he said. "That's someone who's been living on the street, in a shelter, in and out of housing, never had a permanent address; they're living in the car or woods for one year, consecutively, or they have four episodes in three years."

•Voucher recipients pay no more than 30 percent of their income toward rent.

•Social workers help voucher recipients stay in their housing. That means assisting veterans with obtaining Social Security and disability benefits, or helping them find jobs.

"I think it's a wonderful program for veterans," Carmical said. "It's a great thing to see families get housed."

In addition to the Crestview program's allocation, federal funding will benefit HUD-VASH programs in Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, New Jersey, Oregon and Pennsylvania, according to a media release.

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NEED HELP?

Homeless veterans who need help paying for rental housing under the HUD-VASH program can call 609-2604

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Editor's Note: An earlier version of this article included some incorrect information. The Okaloosa County Veterans Center is in Shalimar. The only outpatient clinic is just outside the Eglin west gate. The Okaloosa County Vet Center is a federal VA facility, but it’s not part of the VA's health care system nor is it considered a medical facility.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview's veterans housing program gets $60K boost

TALLAHASSEE — You can celebrate a loved one's active or past military service by purchasing a brick for the Walk of Honor on Florida Capitol grounds.

Three options are available:

•The Center Node: For Florida Medal of Honor recipients; $200 each; 1,548 red bricks available, between the old historic Capitol building and the new Capitol building's entrance. Granite pavers border the approximately 22-by22-foot area.

•The Walk of Honor: $150 each; red bricks for an area 12 feet wide and over 500 feet long that begins on the historic capitol building's south side, extends through the area between the old and new capitol buildings, and comes out on the historic building's north side.

•The Court of Honor: $125; brown bricks for remaining areas between the historic capitol building and the new capitol building.

Sales benefit the Florida Veterans Foundation, which provides one-time emergency financial assistance to veterans who faultlessly experience financial difficulties. For instance, a veteran comes home, wounded, with an honorable discharge and VA papers filed. Between their discharge and when VA benefits begin, he or she has no income.

"All too often the veterans will find themselves being threatened with eviction or the utilities being turned off," an FVF spokesperson said. "That’s where the foundation steps in."

Learn more about the project at www.floridaveteransfoundation.org or contact Richard Ridley, richardr@floridaveteransfoundation.org.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Walk of Honor to feature bricks commemorating military service members

CRESTVIEW — The Scars Remain, a support group for people with post-traumatic stress disorder, has scheduled new meeting times and locations.

Sessions are:

•6:30 p.m. every other Wednesday, starting July 29 at The American Legion, 898 E. James Lee Blvd.

•6:30 p.m. every otherTuesday at Crestview First United Methodist Church, room 212, 599 8th Ave.

Meetings will alternate between the two locations, so anyone uncomfortable in a church can feel welcome, a spokesperson for the group said.

See www.facebook.com/ourscarsremain and thescarsreman.wordpress.com, or email thescarsremain@mail.com for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview PTSD support group sets meetings

BAKER — A couple with almost two decades of service to the Military Order of the Purple Heart are recipients of the organization's Lifetime Achievement Award.

Cmdr. William Everett (Ret.) and his wife, Jacqueline, said in a statement that they are "very surprised, honored, humbled, and proud," following last week's announcement, which recognized their "distinguished and meritorious service" to MOPH.

During the past 15 years, Bill Everett has served the organization in various capacities, as chapter  commander, department senior vice commander, chief of staff of the Department of Florida, chief of staff of Region IV, four years as commander of Region IV and national junior vice commander.

Jacqueline Everett has served the MOPH's Ladies Auxiliary in various capacities including chapter president and four years as Region IV president.

"They have both distinguished themselves the past 15 years as a team in extraordinary service to the Military Order of the Purple Heart Department of Florida," a statement read. "Their tireless efforts have brought significant honor and recognition to the members of the Department of Florida, Region IV, as well as the entire Military Order of the Purple Heart."

The award means a lot to Jacqueline Everett, who worked alongside her husband and was his sounding board, "the guiding light, who listened to everything going on and knew how to help other veterans," a statement from the couple said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker couple receives military order's Lifetime Achievement Award

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE — The Air Force Armament Museum Foundation, Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 811, and Northwest Florida State College Student Nursing Program will “Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive" next month.

A commemoration ceremony — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 22 at the Air Force Armament Museum, 100 Museum Drive, Eglin Air Force Base — will honor World War II era veterans. The event will include a home-front tribute to veterans and survivors, big band music, exhibits and displays. In addition, Veterans Affairs representatives will answer questions.

All WWII veterans are encouraged to attend — in uniform, if they wish — as guests of honor.

Custom banners to be displayed during the ceremony cost $90 and include a garden stake. Contact Joan Doman, 651-1808, to order one.

Contact Sam Houston, 729-2748, shh1100@cox.net; Bill Everett, 537-8553, we1538@aol.com; or Bill Patterson, 243-3889, papa1172@aol.com, for more information on the ceremony. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: World War II anniversary ceremony scheduled on Eglin