Helping Those In Need Find A Home (NAPSA)—Recent events have madeit clear that there truly is no place like home. Thousands of children and adults have been displaced due to the recent hurricanes, joining the ranks of 800,000 people who are already homeless on any given night and the 3 million who are homeless over the course of the year. Fortunately, Volunteers of America, one of the largest nonprofit providers of affordable housing, is focusing on reducing the number of homeless Americans by helping thousandsof children and adults find temporary shelter and affordable housing across the country. Volunteers of America recently reserved over 350 apartments in affordable housing communities in 21 states across the country for vic- tims of Hurricane Katrina. The organization owns and operates more than 250 affordable housing communities in 31 states that are home to more than 20,000 people. Additional housing communities are in the development stages or under construction in 12 addi- tional locations, including Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico, and are scheduled for completion during the next several years. “It is crucial that we do all we can to end homelessness by increasing affordable housing options and providing services needed to help individuals and families get back on their feet,” said Volunteers of America National President and CEO Charles Gould. Volunteers of America is a leader in the nationwide effort to end homelessness for families and children, and its programs provide the combination of housing oppor- at Volunteers of America is helping thousands of children and adults in need find a new home. tunities and supportive services necessary to prevent and end homelessness. For example, in Kentucky, the organization works with thecity of Louisville to ensure that residents in public and subsidized housing are not evicted into homelessness. In New York, its supportive housing programs provide families with a permanent place to stay while they access services that help keep them housed. Volunteers of America also has programs that address the problems and concerns of homeless veterans, who make up approximately 10 percent of America’s homeless population. The organization helps homeless veterans through its programs across the country, including the Florida Veterans Mobile Service Center and employment assistance programsin otherstates. For more information about how you can volunteer or support these programs, visit www. Volunteers ofAmerica.org or call (800) 8990089.
