Mayor's Office of Veteran Affairs:

24 Hour hotline: (317) 327-4VET
(317) 327- 4838
Indy helps Veterans and their families!

No matter what branch or time of service. So if you are in need please call the number above! We have trained staff to help you figure out what resource to best help you! Even if you are not sure, CALL ANYWAY! Our staff will be able to answer your questions and at the very least get you pointed in the right direction!

Or you can always contact
Chris Reed at Chris.reed@indy.gov or Carlos.may@indy.gov with any questions or concerns you may have.

City Launches H.O.M.E. Program to Serve Veterans At Risk for Homelessness
“Helping Our Military Veterans and Families Excel” connects more than 30 service providers

INDIANAPOLIS – Mayor Greg Ballard today announced the launch of the H.O.M.E. program – a collaborative effort among more than 30 community partners to serve any veteran in Indianapolis who

may be homeless and prevent homelessness among others. This first-of-its-kind initiative relies on city resources and the Mayor’s Advisory Council on Veterans (MACV) to analyze data and make referrals, while service organizations with expertise in their specific fields will provide direct services.

At the center of the program is a manned 24-hour call center, which allows veterans to access the services they need, day or night. (317) 327-4VET (4838) will become active at 9 a.m. Monday, March 9, 2015.

“Indianapolis is a city that takes care of those who serve, and with the H.O.M.E. program, we will ensure that our veterans do not have to experience homelessness,” said Mayor Greg Ballard. “This comprehensive effort requires collaboration among more than 30 community partners, and it addresses all of the challenging circumstances surrounding homelessness, including education, housing, employment and medical care.”

Partner service providers include the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Easter Seals Crossroads, HVAF, and Operation Job Ready Vets. Funding for the H.O.M.E. program comprises grant money, in-kind contributions and private donations. The program also includes a series of Vetworking events.

What some of our partners are saying about H.O.M.E.:
“The Department of Veterans Affairs continues to have ending Veteran homelessness as one of its top priorities. At the Roudebush VA Medical Center, we are committed to working collaboratively with the Office of the Mayor and the other community partners to bring that goal to a reality here in Indianapolis. Much has been done already and more still needs to be done for these American heroes that is why we have partnered with the H.O.M.E. initiative as it allows for one centralized point of contact for those who have served our Country to get help they need,” said Tom Mattice – Director, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center.

For those veterans experiencing chronic homelessness, employment is a means to reclaim purpose, confidence and self-respect. Employment is a key step in achieving independence and it paves the way to future success. We are proud to partner with the Mayor’s Office on the H.O.M.E. initiative to combine efforts to realize these goals,” said J. Patrick Sandy, CEO and President, Easter Seals Crossroads.

“Operation Job Ready Vets has been dedicated to serve the Veteran community focusing on lack of employment and barriers to employment. In our experience, we have encountered many Veterans that fit the homeless description. Through a strong network of several committed organizations and the new partnership with H.O.M.E. we now have the ability to combine our efforts and give our homeless Veterans the hand they have been looking for and the hope they’ve prayed about. We are now one team, serving many,” said Ed Perez-Director of Veteran and Business Relations at Operation Job Ready Vets.

“When our veterans are living on the streets and exposed to the elements, the potential for crises exists around the clock, and this partnership with H.O.M.E. ensures our veterans can connect with potentially life-saving services whether it’s one in the afternoon or 1 a.m.,” said Debra Des Vignes, VP of Marketing, HVAF.