In recent years, the state of Maine has made significant progress in addressing the issue of homelessness among veterans, thanks to interagency cooperation and support. One such success story is that of Ben DeMerchant, a former Marine sergeant who found himself struggling with drug addiction, alcoholism, and homelessness after his service.
Four years ago, DeMerchant hesitated outside a homeless shelter, uncertain about claiming a bed inside. However, he eventually sought help through the veterans court in Augusta and entered a treatment program. Due to a residency requirement, he was given a place at the Bread of Life Ministries homeless shelter on Hospital Street, which exclusively caters to veterans.
At that time, DeMerchant was one of 14 individuals seeking refuge at the shelter. Today, his life has transformed significantly. This Thanksgiving, he will be hosting 14 friends and family members at his new home in Waterville. DeMerchant expressed his joy, stating, It’s the greatest thing in the entire world.
Maine had been making progress in housing homeless veterans before the COVID-19 pandemic struck, leveraging federal and state resources. However, overall homelessness rates have increased since then, requiring the state to redouble its efforts. Despite this setback, Maine aims to end veteran homelessness by 2025 through a collaborative approach involving MaineHousing and various social service agencies.
In a recent initiative by Preble Street, a prominent social services agency, a housing surge was launched. Landlords were offered $1,000 incentives and a risk mitigation fund to encourage them to provide housing for veterans. Although the program was initially set to end on Veterans Day, it has been extended for an additional 100 days due to its success. Laura Clark, who leads Preble Street’s veteran housing program, shared that they have been able to house almost one veteran every day during the last 100 days, compared to one every two days previously.
One of the reasons behind Maine’s success in housing veterans is effective interagency communication and close case management. The VA Maine Healthcare System in Togus, near Augusta, plays a pivotal role in spearheading this effort. Laura Briggs, the director of operations at Bread of Life, emphasized the importance of coordination, unlike situations where various doctors may not be in contact with each other. Both the VA and Bread of Life provide liaisons to connect veterans with the resources they need.
For DeMerchant, the journey to stable housing involved not just finding a place to live but also acquiring essential life skills, budgeting, and addressing legal issues with the help of a case manager. The support system provided to him was crucial to his recovery, and he also credited his mother’s assistance. DeMerchant is grateful that he still maintains a friendship with a fellow Marine, although he has observed many of his former comrades battling addiction or sadly succumbing to it.
While Maine faces challenges in addressing veteran homelessness amid rising costs of living during the pandemic, the ongoing efforts and collaboration between agencies offer hope for a better future. With a continued focus on these initiatives, Maine aims to ensure that every veteran has a safe and stable place to call home.
