Porchlight Programs

Veterans Transitional Housing Program

With the economy deteriorating, homelessness on the rise, and a growing number of homeless veterans (many returning from Iraq and Afghanistan), programs to provide housing and support for veterans are crucial.  Many of our veterans face limited employment availability and are often burdened with the experiences of their combat role and suffer mental health issues (mostly Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and substance abuse issues.

Porchlight recently initiated a unique services-intensive program to assist veterans with housing, employment and over-coming mental health and substance abuse concerns.  The Veterans Transitional Housing Program was funded with a major grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs and support from the Madison Community Foundation, the Madison Club Foundation,  National Guardian Life, Epic, Unity Church, the Evjue Foundation, the charitable arm of The Capital Times, and a number of other individual donors.  The United Way of Dane County played a critical role in assisting with securing the funding for this project.

The funding assisted in renovating a building located at 1102 Spring Street into 24 single room occupancy units with a full commercial grade kitchen, dining room meeting spaces and an office.  Homeless veterans may move into the housing and are required to pay only 30% of their income for room and board.  Three meals are provided daily and veterans from the program are employed in the provision of the meals. 

In addition, intensive case management services are provided to assist critical supportive services, such as employment training, health care, assistance with mental health and substance abuse issues and in accessing other available benefits.  The goal is for the veterans to obtain independent permanent housing within two years after moving into the program.