The Jericho Project Announces Rehabilitation Residence for Homeless and Low-Incom...( NEW YORK Oct. 18 /- The Jericho P...),Health

NEW YORK, Oct. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- The Jericho Project, a national leader in forging permanent solutions to homelessness, today announced its plan to launch a supportive housing program in the Bronx for American veterans. Drawing upon Jericho's nearly 25-year experience in enabling homeless individuals to become stable, productive members of the community, the veteran's program will feature a specially-built residence offering housing and holistic counseling for homeless and low-income veterans.

"Many veterans become homeless due to trauma, substance abuse, and lack of resources," said Jericho Executive Director Tori Lyon. "This program will enable them to rebuild their lives by providing supportive housing within an atmosphere of healing and dignity."

The Veteran's Residence will be designed to meet the specific needs of veterans, with input from the Veteran's Administration and other veterans' groups. It will also draw upon Jericho's highly effective model of supportive housing and counseling services that stress recovery, employment, and graduation to independent living. The Jericho Veteran's Residence will feature small studio apartments, staff offices, a community room, a computer lab, and a garden.

The Jericho Veteran's Residence addresses a sore need: although veterans are disproportionately represented among homeless adults in the New York City shelter system, there are only two supportive housing projects for veterans currently in operation in New York. According to the National Survey of Homeless Assistance Providers and Clients, 23 percent of all homeless people and 33 percent of homeless men nationwide are veterans, compared to approximately 13 percent of the general population.

"With tens of thousands of veterans returning from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan over the next several years, the number of vets in need of housing can only be expected to rise," Lyon said.

Jericho estimates that up to 60 percent of residents wi
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