The call center will operate 24 hours a day all seven days of the week. The city will respond to calls each day, veterans should call (317) 327-4VET (4838). Calls will be routed to HVAF from 5pm - 9am.
“When
our veterans are living on the streets and exposed to the elements, the
potential for crises exists around the clock, and this call center partnership
is being established ensures our veterans can connect with potentially
life-saving services whether it’s one in the afternoon or 1 a.m.,” says Debra
Des Vignes of HVAF.
The City of Indianapolis operator at the call center and HVAF staff will be able to refer those in need to appropriate, local service organizations, including HVAF, Easter Seals, Job Ready Vets and the VA Hospital.
Homelessness among veterans in
Indianapolis is on the rise. According to the most recent Point-in-Time
Homeless County in Marion County, Indiana, conducted by the Coalition for
Homeless Intervention and Prevention and Indiana University Policy Public
Institute (PPI) on January 29, 2014, there were 370 veterans homeless
in Marion County, an increase of 50 veterans over the same period in 2013.
Another reason for
the call center’s creation is the plan set forth by the Obama Administration to end veteran homelessness by the
end of 2015.
