Homeless veterans in Ottawa get helping hand - Action News
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Ottawa

Homeless veterans in Ottawa get helping hand

Veteran Emergency Transition Services, or VETS, works to get former soldiers off the street and into their own apartments. The organization recently opened a chapter in Ottawa, where it's already making a difference.

New program helps former soldiers find housing, jobs and hope

Following VETS volunteers as they search for homeless veterans

9 years ago
Duration 0:49
Veteran Emergency Transition Services, or VETS, works to get former soldiers off the street and into their own apartments. The organization recently opened a chapter in Ottawa, where it's already making a difference.

A couple of months ago, Sgt.-Maj.Jason Pickard noticed two homeless men sittingoutside National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa. He stopped totalk to themand discovered bothwere former soldiers.

Pickardwas shocked.

"There's no need for themto be on the streetand sitting right outside our NDHQ," he said.
Sgt.-Maj. Jason Pickard decided to volunteer with VETS after meeting two homeless veterans outside National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa. (Steve Fischer/CBC)

The plight of those veterans inspiredPickardto volunteer withVeteran Emergency Transition Services, or VETS, a national organization that recently set up a chapter in Ottawa. More than 30 volunteershave signed on to help.

Retired lieutenant-general Walter Semianiw, the formercommander of Canadian Forces in Afghanistan,helped startthe the Ottawa chapter of VETSlate last fall.

He said the organization's primary goal is to get former soldiers off the street and into temporary, emergency housing, usually an extended-stay hotel.

The organizationprovides the former soldierswith food, warm coats andboots. Then volunteers focus on finding the veteranspermanent housingand steady employment.

Rock bottom

CBC spoke with one of the former soldiers helpedby VETS in Ottawa.

I walked in the door and broke down and cried.- Veteran helped by VETS

The man, who did notwant to be named, said after his marriage failed and he ran into financial difficulties, and that he was living at the Salvation Army's downtown hostel.

He said hehad hit "rock bottom"when volunteers from theorganization approached him and offered to help get him off the street.
Retired lieutenant-general Walter Semianiew helped set up the Ottawa chapter of VETS. (Steve Fischer/CBC)

"I was a little skeptical at first," he said, adding that he decided accept their offer to help him find arent-free apartment.

"I walked in the door, and broke down and cried," the former veteran said.

The mannow has a job building homes for a local contractor, andis saving up money forhis own apartment.

Some facing PTSD, addictions

Semianiw said some veterans suffer from more complicated issues, including post-traumatic stress disorderand drug and alcohol addictions, so it may take longer to convince some of them to get off the street.

He said even if a veteran refuses free housing, VETS will still provide peer support and counselling.

The group receivesfunding from Veterans Affairs and private donations.

VETS has so far helped 10 former soldiers in Ottawa, and volunteers said that as long as there are veterans facing life on the street, they'll be there to offer a helping hand.
A VETS volunteer visits downtown shelters to seek out homeless veterans. They offer them free, temporary housing and help finding work. (Steve Fischer/CBC)