VA offers clean slate to homeless Coast Guard Veteran

What happens after VA helps a Veteran experiencing homelessness find their way back to safe and stable housing?

The support and resources Veterans need once housed are often just as important as the housing itself, something Coast Guard Veteran Patrick Thrasher experienced firsthand.

Many Veterans who transition from living in encampments or on the street to a home of their own are out of the habit of caring for themselves. Buying groceries, keeping their homes clean, monitoring their health and practicing good hygiene must be relearned.

Despite taking all the “right” steps, Thrasher found himself overwhelmed with day-to-day life after homelessness.

Earned associate degree in electronics

Thrasher served in the Coast Guard in the 1970s, stationed in Long Beach, California, during his military career in Auxiliary Maintenance. When he completed his service, he knew he belonged back in his hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio. He began working for the Cincinnati Fire Department where he would continue to embody Coast Guard’s motto, “Semper Paratus,” (Always Ready) for over a decade.

Thrasher knew VA offered education benefits that could help him find a better-paying career. He attended Temple Bible College in Cincinnati and earned his associate degree in electronics.

Diploma, followed by dilemma

After graduating, Thrasher struggled to find steady employment. A lack of transportation compounded by worsening mobility issues hindered his career prospects. He recalls, “Even with the extra skills, it was still difficult to maintain a job.”

Without a stable income, he soon found himself without a place to live.

Unfortunately, Thrasher’s situation is not uncommon. Unemployment is the third leading cause of homelessness, according to the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness.

In 2018, Thrasher began staying at a homeless shelter. It was there a representative from the Cincinnati VA connected him with HUD-VASH case worker Leigh Mansell. She helped him access resources through VA and get him into an apartment of his own.

Still, Thrasher’s mobility challenges interfered with his ability to manage the upkeep of his new home. Before long, his space reached a level of disorganization and uncleanliness he couldn’t solve on his own. But he couldn’t afford to get help.

Before and after in his kitchen

“I remember seeing him lying on the sofa and he wasn’t moving,” said Seerat Bahniwal, HUD-VASH senior social worker. “He said he hadn’t moved in two days. At the time, he didn’t like it, but we took him to the hospital.”

“Great to provide these services.”

Bahniwal quickly realized Thrasher could benefit from the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, MD Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020, which allows VA to use appropriated funds to purchase items for Veterans experiencing homelessness, and enrolled him in the HUD-VASH program that would otherwise be unobtainable.

VA sent a cleaning service to Thrasher’s apartment to get everything sanitized and back in working order. “It’s always great when we can provide these services for Veterans because they really do appreciate it,” said Bahniwal.

“It’ll take time but get in there.”

Today, Thrasher is thriving in his new home, and he’s proud to have a clean place to call his own. “I feel today is wonderful. Now I’m just trying to get the rest of my life on track,” he said.

His caseworker is glad to be with him every step of the way while he finds his new path. “It really is truly incredible how you can see someone flourish and thrive,” said Bahniwal after seeing Thrasher get the assistance he needed. “He is exemplary. It’s wonderful working with him.”

Many Veterans may be reluctant to reach out to VA for help. Some may feel their circumstances aren’t dire enough to ask for assistance while others may be hesitant to take services away from other Veterans who need them more. These are both myths. We all need help sometimes and VA has programs and people ready to help every Veteran, no matter what they are going through.

Thrasher encourages all Veterans to learn what VA has to offer: “Get in there. It’ll take time but get in there.”

Learn about VA programs

• Read more about how the 4201 authority helps VA provide flexible assistance to homeless Veterans.
• Read more about the HUD-VASH program to determine if you are eligible to receive rental assistance.
• If you are a Veteran who is homeless or at risk for homelessness, call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-4AID-VET (877-424-3838).
• Visit the VA Homeless Programs websiteto learn about housing initiatives and other programs for Veterans exiting homelessness.
• Check out the Ending Veteran Homelessness podcast to learn more about what VA is doing about Veteran homelessness.
• For more stories like these, subscribe to the Homeless Programs Office newsletterto receive monthly updates about programs and supportive services for Veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness.