The New VIEWS program was designed to assist female homeless veterans like Carisa Dogen once was. The homeless female veteran is a relatively new phenomenon, because only recently have so many women  been serving in the military.

HOUSTON- In order to meet the growing needs of homeless, female Veterans in southeast Texas, the Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded a VA Per Diem Project to the Santa Maria Hostel. The Health Care for Homeless Veterans Program (HCHV) at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center runs a program titled, “New VIEWS,” for the Santa Maria Hostel to provide services for 29 homeless, female Veterans.
“We are committed to the struggle against chronic homelessness among our Nation’s Veterans,” said Laura Marsh, M.D., Mental Health Line executive. “This new program is another way for the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center  to bring Veterans in need of assistance together with the wide range of programs and services the VA provides. Females comprise 7.5 percent of the total Veteran population.
New VIEWS, stands for Veteran Initiative Empowering Women’s Stability, and Self-Determination. The program provides a comprehensive continuum of care through a wide variety of supportive services based on individualized needs. This includes transitional housing between six months to a year, case management, referrals and information, life skills training, residential or outpatient substance abuse treatment. Veterans participating in New VIEWS must be medically stable, able to care for themselves and remain alcohol and drug-free. Sex offenders and those requiring detox services will not be admitted.
For more information, contact Terri Riha at 713-791-1414.