Chesapeake Health Education Program
Perry Point, MD - Transitional Residence
Since 2000, CHEP has enjoyed a lease agreement with the VA Maryland Health Care System at Perry Point to provide housing to homeless veterans. The model being developed is to make housing available that is alcohol and drug-free as well as self-managed and financed completely by the veteran residents. The advantage is that these homes are independent of direct support or responsibility by the VA. The five "village" houses located on the grounds of the Perry Point Medical Center function as transitional housing and serve 15 homeless veterans each day. This model represents a major step to self-sufficiency for the veteran newly discharged from the hospital who needs a gradual reintegration into the community. Based on this philosophy, the program is known as the Veterans Independence Project or VIP.
The structure of the Veterans Independence Project is simple and straight forward. Each resident must follow basic rules of sobriety and take responsibility to live with two other recovering individuals. Each resident pays rent directly to CHEP and is solely responsible for all operations of the house. Four of the houses are for males and one for female veterans. CHEP and the VA provide supportive services to the residents as appropriate. CHEP has created an advisory committee composed of key VA and CHEP staff to assure continued coordination and efficient operation of the homes and the services provided. More importantly, the success underlies the need for non-profit and government agencies to work together to give veterans a chance to live successfully on their own.