San Diego County, CA

09/08/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 10/08/2024 07:02

County Departments Help Unhoused Veterans at Stand Down Event

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Several County departments are offering services at the Veterans Village of San Diego's Stand Down 2024.

Beginning today, Aug. 9, and running through Sunday, Aug. 11, the three-day event will support unhoused veterans by providing a wide range of resources, including medical, legal, and mental health services, assistance with documents, voter registration, and more.

This year's Stand Down takes place at 2400 Euclid Ave., National City, CA 91950.

In addition to the services the County will offer, veterans in attendance will have access to breakfast, lunch and dinner, clothing and shoes, employment information, hygiene items, pet services, haircuts and more.

Among the services offered, there will be a first-of-its-kind Landlord Hub, where the County, City of San Diego, and other veteran partners hope to encourage landlords to submit landlord interest forms and rent to voucher-holding veterans.

Below is a list of County departments and agencies that will be in attendance and the services they will offer:

Homeless Solutions and Equitable Communities:

  • Connect veterans with housing and community resources, social services programs, and case management services.

Department of Child Support Services:

  • Child support services
  • Driver's license releases and modification requests
  • General case status
  • Debt relief options
  • Child support legal assistance

Public Defender's Office:

  • More than 60 attorney and staff volunteers
  • Homeless Court program to clear barriers to exiting homelessness
  • Criminal record clearance
  • Fine and fee clearance

Registrar of Voters:

  • Help veterans check on their voter registration
  • Help veterans register to vote
  • Inform veterans of their voting options
  • Provide election information

Office of Military and Veterans Affairs:

  • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs compensation assistance
  • Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) driver's licenses
  • DMV disability license plates

Public Health Services (Friday and Saturday only):

  • Hepatitis A vaccines
  • COVID-19 vaccines for both insured and uninsured individuals
  • Mpox vaccines (limited supply)

Self-Sufficiency Services:

  • Cal-Fresh and Cash benefits support, including Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card replacements
  • Help enrolling or renewing Medi-Cal health coverage
  • Case support

Housing and Community Development Services:

  • Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) voucher support to connect veterans with housing
  • HCDS will invite housing providers to the Stand Down event where they can speak with the VASH team and the Landlord Liaison about the benefits of housing veterans. The purpose of having landlords attend the Stand Down is to gather information about current and upcoming vacancy leads that can be distributed to Veteran participants.

San Diego Sheriff's Department's Homeless Assistance Resource Team:

  • Education for veterans on resources like food, housing, job programs, substance abuse counseling and mental health services.
  • Transportation to the event for veterans who need assistance to get to the area

Recorder/County Clerk:

  • Assisting individuals experiencing homelessness in obtaining a free birth certificate under Assembly Bill 1733.
  • An affidavit must be completed by both the individual requesting the birth certificate and the homeless service provider onsite. For those not born in California counties, the Recorder/County Clerk can assist with completing the birth certificate application and affidavit. AB1733 does not apply to individuals born outside of California or the United States.

More information about Veterans Village of San Diego Stand Down 2024 can be found here.