For many people who have experienced homelessness after serving in the military, the path to stable housing is not a straight line. For Emilee Rubin, finding safe, long-term housing seemed impossible.
“I didn’t know if anything was going to get better, but then I met Housing and Urban Development Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) staff Regina Robinson and Colleen Chiu. They actually cared about my mental health, about my housing, and I had never met people like that,” said Rubin. “They really stepped up to make sure that my situation would get better.”
Housing instability
Before finding HUD-VASH, Rubin had been searching for a safe and stable place to call home for a long time. Adopted from Romania and brought to the United States as a baby, she was forced to learn to survive on her own as a minor.
“I had to get into a safe environment because my adoptive family gave me up and sent me away to boarding school when I was young,” she said. “And then they just let me go on the streets. So, the psych hospital ended up sending me into the Covenant House shelter.”
After that, Rubin lived in many different places, but never felt safe. “I moved a lot from psych ward group home to group home, to boarding house, without being there long term.”
Lessons from the Marines
In 2015, she entered boot camp with the Marines. Although she was medically discharged, the Marines taught her to have strength and resilience to overcome anything.
Despite the difficult times she experienced as a child, Rubin loves America and is grateful to live here. “I wanted to do everything in my power to give back to this country, to show my gratitude for all the people who saved my life, supported me and treated me with kindness all of these years and to see where I could be of service to others.”
Safe home
Eventually, Rubin found a group home that helped her get mental health services, medication, employment and connected with VA New Jersey HUD-VASH social workers Robinson and Chiu.
“The support from Regina and Colleen felt really good,” said Rubin. “They did a really good job finding me a nice space. It made me feel safe. It made me feel like someone actually cares.”
Through HUD-VASH, Rubin was set up with her own apartment, and for the first time, she felt comfortable—like she was finally home. This gave her the motivation she needed to go back to group therapy, start her medication again and pursue her passion for advocacy.
“I make YouTube videos. I write poetry. I’ve shared my life story, my experience, strength and hope with others. I’ve met other Veterans and homeless girls and people that were in domestic violence situations, and I lead those people to resources to help them,” she shared.
As for her experience working with HUD-VASH, Rubin said, “I was able to advocate for myself and other people because Regina and Colleen advocated for me. I feel so good about it, and I think HUD-VASH is the perfect place to go if you’re looking for a safe home, because they will place you in an environment that’s healthy, that’s safe, and somewhere you could stay long-term and thrive.
“Oh,” she added, “and Regina is the best case manager I’ve ever had!”
Learn about VA programs
- If you are a Veteran who is homeless or at risk for homelessness or need to connect with a Veterans justice outreach specialist, call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-4AID-VET (877-424-3838).
- Visit the VA Homeless Programs website to learn about housing initiatives and other programs for Veterans exiting homelessness.
- Learn how to get involved with housing homeless Veterans.
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I am very concerned that the President’s executive order in July instructed federal agencies to stop funding Housing First programs. HUD-VASH, which is a product of the President’s first administration, is one such program. It has proven to be extraordinarily successful. Eliminating it because it is recognized as a Housing First program would be counter to the excellent efforts of the VA to meet the needs of homeless veterans. I also hope that in its efforts to make the VA more efficient it maintain the high quality of all support staff and not outsource VA health and program benefits. The VA is excellent and efficient as it is. In my experience it is superior in all regards to private health insurance including Medicare Advantage programs. That is why I use it.
I’m sorry but I am not getting this type of feel good support from my Dallas Texas VA. Other than receiving 1,001 darn flyers provided to my VA from outside support groups, I have been left to fend for myself (Jul 19 – present) and not one call from my Primary Care Dr., my social or case worker, VA- HUD or any of them.
I was repeatedly told, that I was disqualified twice for the trivial of reasons.
* I will shout out and give a nod to Cohen Military Clinic for at least trying to help. Thanks Cohen, as for the rest of them they can …
I relocated from Orlando FL. to Atlanta GA. I’m trying to get my nonprofit off the ground and need more information on how to get the ball rolling. My goal is to provide transitional housing for homeless veterans in this city. I am a 100% service connected disabled veterans and currently working as a supportive housing case manager. Who ever reads this and can assist me with moving forward will be greatly appreciated. Thanks….
The Va has evolved to exemplary plateaus in helping veterans and their families. Go to the VA for help. Don’t run from them. The VA cares.
My renter a HUD Vash destroyed my property and then the veteran denied he did all while smoking methy! . No one helped me get paid back and I was abandon when asked for help.
Veteran Edward Wayne Wilkins Jr
I am Still Homeless after 25 years. They Want to Put me in a Highrise or High Crime Area of Memphis, Tn. I Know I Deserve Better for my Service, I would have Died for my Country now they Want me To Die by the Hands of a Drug Dealer? or Gang Member? in the downtown Area in a Housing Project that was remodel. There are Places that are More Safe in Memphis, Tn why doesn’t the Government Build More Places for Veterans to Live. It’s an embarrassment to the Rich Country of America. Come on Mr. Trump and Give us Safe House to Live in. Wayne in Memphis, Tn
Greetings, thank you for sharing your story, in everything put god first and have faith and believe work towards it and everything will fall in place, you are wonderful keep up the great work. I’m the operation of shaw Shaw loving care group home LLC in Florida Pinellas County I’m planning on opening 3-5 properties over the next couple of months offering affordable housing to a number of different demographics, it’s a huge lack of supply for this type of housing in the area and I would like to fill those gaps. Just focusing on establishing relationships with the different organizations.
& Thanks for Your story of advocacy in Pinellas Cty. Any local established relationship with HUD-VASH ageni or entity locally?
I’m in Sarasota, having a veteran triage nurse from Iraqi Freedom service, now nearing housing insecurity. The comments are all over the spectrum, here, and any help of referral is much appreciated. Soldier On!
I am sorry but Hud Vash was and is a joke. I met the rep in New Mexico. The housing is trash and I told her it was insult to me to let any vet live there. DO NOT SEND ANYONE TO Albuquerque VA housing.
EM..? I TOLD YOU GIRL…. Your story is going to bring light to a lot of people still in the dark. So many veterans need help. Thank you for being a light, and a beacon of hope. Semper Fi Devil Dawg. You have an amazing home now and I’m so happy for you. Send Wayne my love. , ? Dairy El.