Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Veteran Homelessness Transportation Mental Health topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Veteran testimony stresses housing, transport and hyperbaric therapy as priorities for Michigan
Summary
A Jackson veteran described homelessness, transportation barriers and mental-health needs to the House Families and Veterans Committee and urged funding for local transportation programs, veterans navigators and a pilot for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Doug Brinker, a disabled veteran from Jackson, told the House Families and Veterans Committee that Michigan must expand housing options for veterans, improve transportation funding for rural areas and consider access to hyperbaric oxygen treatment as part of broader mental-health support.
Brinker described personal experience with homelessness and recovery and urged lawmakers to examine vacant buildings for conversion into veteran housing, to support targeted transportation grants and to broaden funding for veterans navigators and suicide-prevention programs.
"I am a beacon for hope. I'm helping one person every day rediscover their purpose," Brinker said, recounting two prior suicide attempts and his current work with veteran support programs.
Key points from testimony Brinker asked the committee to consider several programmatic steps: identify and refurbish vacant buildings for veteran housing; expand the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) and HUD-VASH voucher pathways in counties with gaps; and provide sustained funding for veteran navigators and peer-camaraderie events that he said reduce isolation.
He also urged the committee to consider a $250,000 grant to Phoenix Mobility Rising, a Detroit-based group he said received $100,000 last year to cover five counties and provided about $35,000 to Wayne and Oakland counties and $14,000 to Jackson and Hillsdale counties. Brinker argued that rural counties need proportionate funding to make transportation available for VA appointments, grocery shopping and job access.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy and suicide prevention Brinker described hyperbaric oxygen treatment as an intervention he and others have asked lawmakers to pilot for veterans with traumatic brain injuries, burn-pit exposure and post-traumatic stress. He referenced prior legislative work on a house bill introduced by Rep. Kevin Hensley and referenced forward movement on a pilot discussed by Representative Young.
Brinker gave extended personal testimony about suicidal ideation and recovery, said veteran peer supports like the Paquette House and veteran navigators were effective, and asked for more funding for those services and for community-based approaches.
What the committee learned and next steps Committee members thanked Brinker for his testimony and signaled interest in pursuing pilot programs and local funding pathways. Brinker offered to share contacts and training resources; Representative Young said she and other members would follow up as they consider potential pilot language and budget options.
