Al Tamborino of the Brooksville Marine Corp League Detachment 466 spoke to the Brooksville City Council on May 4th on behalf of the league and Veterans Empowerment Inc. He asked for their support in establishing a coalition to fight homelessness in Military Veterans.
Mr. Tamborino explained that each night in our nation approximately 107,000 veterans sleep in the woods, on streets or under bridges. He stated, “Veterans are our Nation’s forgotten heroes.” Only 3% of the US population has ever served in the armed forces yet 25% of the homeless population are veterans according to VA records. He spoke of the many factors contributing to veterans’ homelessness including PTSD, substance abuse or other physiological problems.
The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has entered into a partnership with the National Coalition of Homeless Veterans. This is why Mr. Tamborino feels a coalition between the City of Brooksville, Brooksville Housing Authority, Veterans Empowerment, and the Brooksville Marine Corp League can only lead to a positive outcome for all the groups involved and most importantly our veterans.
They have formed a 501c3 corp, gained the support in Washington as well as community based groups. Additionally, they have proposed to the City of Brooksville Housing Authority to allow Veterans Empowerment to take over the property known as Hilltop Estates, an abandoned low income property that has been vacant for several years.
They would like to construct a Military Museum, a VA clinic, a Marine Corp Detachment Home, a homeless shelter, a Veteran’s Wall and a location for the city’s public affairs on the currently abandoned property. They have already recruited the assistance of several medical doctors who are willing to provide their services to the program at no cost along with other professionals who are willing and able to provide their services.
The Marine Corp Detachment home would be built to oversee management of the project. The planned VA clinic would give support to our local veterans after the Brooksville clinic closes and moves to New Port Richey. The military museum would be a positive draw to the City of Brooksville and will contribute to the local economy. They will work closely with the City, Brooksville VA clinic, and charitable organizations to get the Veterans the help they need.
Brooksville City Council has offered their support of this program and staff will work with the League and Veterans Empowerment to further identify the City’s role.
There are also newly available funds through the Hernando County Housing Authority for homeless veterans. Recently, HUD awarded them $88,259 to support homeless veterans through a rental assistance voucher program. The vouchers will be administered in partnership with the James A. Haley VA Medical Center in Tampa. Contact the Hernando County Housing Authority at (352) 754-4160 for more information.