Augusta groups work to keep veterans housed through SSVF program

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Local organizations in Augusta are working to keep veterans housed through a federal program called Supporting Services for Veterans Families.

The program, known as SSVF, is administered locally through the CSRA Economic Opportunity Authority.

Army veteran Shania Jones said she had reached a low point before connecting with the program.

“I had gave up, you know, I was feeling hopeless,” Jones said.

She joined the U.S. Army in 2019. She said she is now closing on a home and recently started school.

Veterans describe housing instability after service

Navy veteran Stephen Thompson served from 1988 to 2007 and is a Gulf War veteran.

He said housing instability after leaving the military can go unrecognized.

“You can go 20 years and have these issues and don’t even know you got these issues because you’ve done it so long, you begin to think it’s normal,” Thompson said.

He said he was moving between family members and sleeping on couches before receiving help.

Navy veteran Anthony Prince, who served three years, said awareness is a barrier.

“There’s a lot of veterans out here homeless because they don’t know about the programs,” Prince said.

Caseload growing at CSRA EOA

Khristy Murray, director of veteran services at CSRA EOA, said the number of veterans the program serves has increased.

“We went from serving 280 last year. Right now, I want to say we’re up to about 310,” Murray said.

Murray said the organization conducts outreach across a wide area.

“We do outreach. We serve 23 counties, from here to Athens, and then from here to Statesboro,” Murray said.

Thompson said the program’s impact on him motivated him to help others.

“Having seen what she’d done for me, it sort of gave me the desire to do for another veteran,” Thompson said.

Several other organizations in the area are also working to house veterans, including a tiny home village and the Veterans Villa.

The easiest way to reach them is by telephone at 706-364-6548, or at www.csraeoa.com .