BAY PINES, Fla. — There are approximately 1,000 homeless veterans in the Bay Pines area, according to the Veteran Affairs Healthcare System and some of them made a long trip to get there
“It was suggested to come to Florida because it’s getting cold out,” said homeless Veteran Joseph Noonan.
Noonan made a 1,000-mile trip from Arkansas to Florida using only his bike and several bus trips just before the holidays.
“It’s like my fountain of youth,” he said. “It’s a great exercise for me. And I can travel. And it’s, you know, I don’t have to pay for fuel or insurance or anything like that. So it’s been wonderful.”
His bike is one of the few possessions he has since becoming homeless six years ago. That’s when the 51-year-old Army veteran said his life spiraled downward. It began with the loss of his job and divorce.
“My father died unexpectedly in a car accident and that just blew our family into a thousand pieces, as it would,” he said.
Noonan says his mother passed away several weeks ago.
He’s now coping with that loss, while trying to make a new home for himself in St. Petersburg.
“I didn’t plan on approaching the services here in Pinellas County, and I had planned on being outside, but I had just overheard about the services that were being offered. And when I went to the Bay Pines, VA, I was overwhelmed with the services,” he said.
Noonan was one of 18 people who attended an event at C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center to help unhoused veterans get permanent housing. They immediately placed him in transitional housing.
“You could just tell as he walked through the event, he was so appreciative,” said Homeless Program coordinator Blossom Kapper.
Kapper has been working with the VA for 11 years, where she developed a passion for helping the homeless population through the Bay Pines Veteran Affairs Homeless Program.
“We see veterans experience homelessness for many reasons,” said Kapper. “Sometimes there’s mental health in their background, their substance use. Other times they’ve just fallen on hard times. They’ve lost employment. Sadly, we’re starting to see some seniors, more and more seniors become homeless. Pinellas County has a strong team approach to community. We couldn’t solve homelessness alone at the VA.”
Since January 2022, Bay Pines VA has been partnering with the Homeless Empowerment Project, Boley Centers, and St. Vincent de Paul to help veterans transition into permanent residences successfully. The team has surpassed the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ goal by permanently housing 630 veterans.
In 2023, they added another 747 veterans to the list, marking an increase of 18.5%. In total, the team has successfully transitioned 1,377 veterans into permanent residences.
“I’ve heard a lot of folks say, wow, you know, our veterans shouldn’t be in this predicament after they’ve served our country. And I understand what they’re saying. But personally, I don’t feel like that. And I know a lot of veterans that are in my position. We don’t really look at it like that from a country wide type of viewpoint. It’s more individual,” said Noonan.
Noonan says he hasn’t let the struggle of homelessness or pride keep him from getting the help he needs.
“Super grateful for what’s already been done for me to be here at Saint Vincent de Paul. I’m really excited about getting into the HUD VASH program, where they help us afford the rent for the area,” he said.
Ultimately, his goal is to be fully independent and help himself.
“They give you dignity here,” he said.
The Bay Pines VA said they are currently receiving an average of eight calls per day from homeless veterans.
However, by participating in the Veteran Permanent Housing Program, they can now apply for jobs and build a stable future. If you are a local veteran seeking support and services, you can contact Bay Pines VA’s Homeless Walk-in Clinic or the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-4AID-VET for information.