Fred Robinson, chair of the Orange County Mayor's Veterans Advisory Council, interviewed Annie Johnson, Veterans Program Advisor for the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida, about local services for veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Johnson said the Homeless Services Network (HSN) serves as the lead agency directing policy and programs on homelessness in Central Florida and works with nonprofits, local government, faith-based organizations and businesses to connect veterans with housing and supportive services. "We are funded through the VA," she said, identifying the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as a primary funding and coordination partner.

HSN runs a veterans-only Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program, Johnson said, that includes prevention funds to help keep veterans from becoming homeless. "Our program is different; it's specifically designed just for veteran households only," she said. The program provides comprehensive case management to assess veterans' needs and link them with community resources for employment, education and health care.

Johnson listed the barriers veterans commonly face: housing instability and affordability, mental and physical health issues, substance use, low income and employment challenges. She said HSN prioritizes "the most vulnerable" because funding limits prevent helping every veteran in need.

On timing, Johnson said placement timelines vary according to housing barriers such as criminal history, evictions or income, but that HSN and its landlord partners "try to house a veteran within 90 days." For the interim, options include shelter, VA-funded grant per diem programs that provide transitional housing, and emergency housing assistance; Johnson added HSN can cover a hotel stay "for up to 60 days." "In that number, we've served 724 veterans," she said, giving a count of people assisted.

Johnson described a case in which partners including Aspire Health Partners and the VA worked together to place a blind veteran in an appropriate long-term nursing facility after medical decline, illustrating coordination across agencies.

Robinson closed the segment by thanking Johnson. The program said it will return with an interview with Jurlisa, a veteran who has benefited from HSN services.