More than $250,000 for Caritas of Austin to Support Veteran Families Program and Assist 66 Veteran Families

Caritas' housing and housing stability programs, take a three-pronged approach to assisting clients – focusing on housing stability, income and self-care. Case managers support participants in processing the underlying conditions of their homelessness or risk and coordinate access to resources across community organizations. Case Managers assist program participants to increase their income through earned employment income or unearned income such as SSI, SSDI, VA benefits, Unemployment Insurance or Food Stamps. Clients are referred to appropriate internal and community-based employment education and self-sufficiency programs.

"It's a sad fact that some of our most vulnerable families are those who served in our armed forces," said U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett. "I am grateful that we have organizations like Caritas out beating the pavement every day to make a difference in some of our neighbors' lives and get them into places they can call home and equipped with the tools they need to become more financially stable."

Beth Atherton, Caritas Executive Director was pleased to hear news of the funding. "Caritas recognizes that prevention, intervention, and rapid re-housing are key strategies that reduce homelessness, decrease its recurrence and promote housing stability for low-income households, many of which are veterans. Caritas is glad to be granted this funding that will provide services that will help veterans reach self-sufficiency. It is our honor to serve our veterans with the array of support services we know are key to housing stability," she said.

Caritas of Austin has been serving low-income and homeless individuals and families since its inception in 1964. For more than four decades, Caritas has been integrally involved in local plans to end homelessness and has been committed to systemic change based on community trends.