Leaders of a local group are determined to continue their mission of helping homeless veterans get back on their feet despite the loss of a short-lived partnership with a Bentonville hotel.
The Northwest Arkansas Veterans Coalition formed early this year primarily to support veterans who need permanent housing. Key to the effort was an agreement with the Wingate by Wyndham hotel near Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport to provide temporary housing for several veterans and their families at a rate of $14 per day, far below the hotel’s regular rate.
Fast Facts
Homeless Veterans
• The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development estimates 62,619 veterans are homeless on any given night. Over the course of a year, about twice that number experience homelessness.
• Only 7 percent of the general population can claim veteran status, but nearly 13 percent of the homeless adult population are veterans.
• About 92 percent of homeless veterans are men; roughly 40 percent are black or Hispanic.
• Nearly half of homeless veterans served during the Vietnam era.
Source: National Coalition for Homeless Veterans
The first veteran moved into the Wingate in May. Fourteen veterans and their 20 family members — including 10 children — are living there now, according to Rebecca Mabry, director of the Arkansas Veterans Children Fund, a coalition member working closely with the families. The veterans range in age from 28 to 84, and the children from 3 to 17, she said.
Earlier this month, however, hotel representatives announced they were discontinuing the program. They gave the veterans and their families until Monday to move.
Linda Smith, senior vice president at Sunway Hotel Group which manages the Wingate, said financial considerations led the hotel officials to the decision.
“Our owner, Don Culbertson, has spent — out of his pocket to assist with this program — over $35,000 in five months,” Smith wrote in an email. “The coalition made promises that for the guests that were unable to pay would find the funds to support their room costs. They did not do this.”
When the program began in May, several agencies assisted in raising about $5,000 to help pay for the veterans’ lodging, Smith said. She added it was never all about the money.
“(Culbertson) was trying to do a kind-hearted thing. He is a veteran himself. That is why the rate was $14 a night,” Smith wrote.
Barbara Aguirre, coalition director, acknowledged the hotel did “a wonderful thing,” though she expressed frustration over apparent mixed messages.
“This all started when they invited us to come out,” Aguirre said. “We told them there was no veterans organization big enough to pay the $14 per night and they said, ‘Don’t worry about it, don’t worry about it’.”
Although the Wingate partnership ended earlier than coalition leaders expected, Mabry called it a success. Five of the 14 veterans staying there have found a job during their stay, Mabry said. All but three of the families have permanent housing to go to starting Tuesday.
“The others were all able to obtain housing and all will be moved into their homes by (Tuesday),” Mabry said. “That’s a very substantial thing. Because they were able to save their money by living in the Wingate, they were able to save money for housing deposits. They needed a hand-up to be able to save money. That’s where the Wingate has been very helpful.”
The remaining three families — a total of seven people — still need temporary places to live. They may move to the Extended Stay America Hotel in Springdale, but the coalition is short on money to pay the $30 per day it will cost each family, Mabry said.
Donations to help these and other families of homeless veterans may be sent to the Arkansas Veterans Children Fund, P.O. Box 8391, Springdale, 72766. Those interested in helping also may call Paul Dodd, program manager, at 479-981-6644.
Herman Bourliea, 31, an Air Force veteran, said he has lived without a permanent home since Hurricane Katrina destroyed his Louisiana house in 2005. He and his wife lived in a tent at various state parks in Arkansas for two months before moving into the Wingate on Aug. 15.
The Wingate “has helped out a lot,” Bourliea said. He hopes to have his own house in the area soon.
Dodd also praised the Wingate for its help this summer. Numerous businesses, namely Walmart, and other organizations from the community were generous as well, he said.
“It is through the contributions of Northwest Arkansas businesses we’ve been able to do this,” he said.
The coalition is in the process of obtaining its 501 c 3 status, which will make it easier to attract donations. In the meantime, the coalition needs more help.
“We need help, someone who can provide housing for the next couple of months,” Dodd said. “We need hotels — somebody — to step up.”
Why are so many veterans homeless? Post-traumatic stress disorder and substance abuse are two major factors, according to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans website. In addition, military occupations and training don’t always transfer well to the civilian workforce, making it harder for veterans when competing for jobs.
Other veterans struggle while waiting for Veterans Affairs to process their disability claims, Dodd said.
President Barack Obama in 2009 announced the goal of ending veteran homelessness by 2015. The number of homeless veterans has dropped by 17.2 percent since 2009, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. The department has established the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838, a 24-hour hotline through which veterans may receive support finding housing.
Still, the problem lingers. There are between 500 and 1,000 veterans in Northwest Arkansas who need housing or are in danger of losing their homes, Mabry said.
“I do know of people living under bridges who are veterans,” Dodd said. “And we could take care of them if we had the resources.”