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Council accepts grant to fund veteran homelessness system lead position
Summary
The committee accepted a Community Solutions grant to fund a veteran system lead position in Metro’s Office of Homeless Services under the Built for Zero initiative; the grant will fund two years and aims to reduce veteran homelessness by improving coordination and housing exits.
The Metro Council Budget & Finance Committee on June 2 approved acceptance of a capacity‑building grant from Community Solutions (Built for Zero) to fund a veteran system lead position within the Office of Homeless Services.
Allison Cantway of the Office of Homeless Services told the committee the grant would fund a dedicated staff position for approximately two years to coordinate veteran‑specific efforts, accelerate housing placements, and pursue “functional zero” for veteran homelessness — a target in which inflow into homelessness is matched by a system’s ability to house people rapidly so homelessness is rare and brief. Cantway said the position would work with the continuum of care, the veterans work group and local veteran‑service organizations, and that sustainability beyond the grant term would be a stated priority.
Council members asked for examples of outcomes and strategies used in jurisdictions that have reached functional zero; Cantway said she would provide handouts and examples of practices that produced decreases in veteran homelessness, improved exits to permanent housing, and shorter lengths of time in the homeless system.
The committee approved the acceptance of the grant and the staffing plan. Sponsors listed on the resolution included Porterfield and Evans. Committee members said they expected follow‑up reporting on outcomes and sustainability planning before grant funds expire.
