Montgomery County lands $300K for homeless veterans

CONROE, Texas – Montgomery County Veterans Services has been awarded a $300,000 grant from the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) to expand its Homeless Veterans Program, a move local officials say will provide a critical safety net for those who have served in the military.

The funding is part of a broader statewide effort by the TVC, which recently distributed $6.3 million to 103 organizations across Texas to address veteran housing instability and general welfare. Montgomery County’s allocation is specifically earmarked for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

According to county officials, the grant will enable a more robust approach to addressing homelessness by covering a wide range of essential services. These include direct case management, emergency housing assistance, utility payments, food security, transportation arrangements, and access to mental health services.

The grants received final approval during the TVC’s quarterly commission meeting held in Austin on October 17-18, 2023.

TVC Chairman Rick Ciampa stated that the mission behind these grants is to meet veterans where they are, providing local resources that address both the symptoms and the root causes of homelessness. Executive Director George P. Holland added that the agency remains committed to ensuring that the state's veteran population receives the services they earned through their service to the nation.

Locally, the program is overseen by Montgomery County Veterans Services Director Jana Tyson. The initiative has received vocal support from the Montgomery County Commissioners Court, with Commissioners James Noack and Charlie Riley highlighting the importance of utilizing these state resources to support the growing veteran population within the county.

Montgomery County has seen a significant increase in its veteran population over the last decade, making the need for localized support services more pressing. The Homeless Veterans Program works in conjunction with other county and federal resources, including the Veterans Affairs (VA) Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program, to ensure that veterans do not fall through the cracks of the housing system.

Veterans living in Montgomery County who are currently experiencing homelessness, or who are at risk of losing their housing, are encouraged to reach out to the Montgomery County Veterans Services office to determine their eligibility for these new funds.

For more information on available services or to schedule an appointment with a case manager, veterans can visit the Montgomery County Veterans Services website at www.mctx.org or call the office at 936-539-7842. Additional information regarding statewide veteran resources can be found at the Texas Veterans Commission website at www.tvc.texas.gov.