Eliminating homeless veterans is one of the Veterans Administration’s priority goals. In partnership with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the VA is working to reduce the number of veterans experiencing homelessness on the streets to zero by January 2016 (as measured by HUD’s annual Point-in-Time (PIT) count). On a single night in January 2013 during the nationwide PIT count, there were 57,849 homeless veterans in the U.S. This number only reflects those who were found by volunteers. During the count, homeless veterans are found in emergency shelters and transitional housing, as well as in places not meant for human habitation: streets, abandoned buildings, cars, under park benches, under bridges, in doorways, and in many types of makeshift shelters. There are also many veterans with families who are homeless or near-homeless.

The VA’s “no wrong door” philosophy will help ensure that homeless veterans and “at-risk-for-homeless” veterans have timely access to appropriate housing and services. Any door that a veteran comes to — at a medical center, a regional office, or a community organization such as the all volunteer-run Mid-Coast Veterans Resource Center (MVRC) on Brunswick Landing — will lead to the resources that offer veterans assistance. Area veterans should note that at the Brunswick MVRC, we are ‘Veterans Helping Veterans.’ There are many, many programs that will assist homeless veterans and their families. Help is there for the asking. For information, call the Center at 406-4103. As veterans, we don’t leave any of our own behind.

Yes, we are having conversations about homelessness in the midcoast area. Members of the Mid- Coast Veterans Council are looking for ways to help eliminate homelessness in our area. In the 2014 PIT count, there were 498 homeless veterans at shelters in Maine (but no numbers were provided for Sagadahoc or Lincoln counties). Since January in Brunswick, the Tedford Shelter has assisted 4 veterans. I am waiting on a number from the family shelter on Federal Street and I hope to have figures from Sagadahoc and Lincoln counties for my next report.

Meanwhile, I am still gathering information on waste, fraud, etc. within our welfare system. We need to work together if we’re to succeed. Sensible ideas are welcome.

Not much to report on the Red Sox-Yankee battle for the cellar. Cliff and Murph are still talking. Jim still has his LePage sticker, and Cliff took one of the governor’s new stickers — “Votez Pour LePage Gouverneur.” Cliff says it is for his wife. Dante’s weekly advice to the governor is to let people know that “I work for you.”

The unscientific poll had these results as of Thursday, 21 Aug: At the Brunswick McDonald’s, LePage 2, Cutler 2, Michaud 1; At Rusty’s, LePage 1, Cutler 2, Michaud 1; At the Topsham P.O., LePage 1; At the Brunswick P.O., Cutler 2. Total to date: LePage 50, Cutler 17, and Michaud 15.

For area veterans and their families: the MVRC on the former Naval Air Station is there to assist you with any and all questions you may have about VA benefits. The hours for the Center’s resident Veterans Service Officer, Paul Loveless, are 9am — noon, M-F. For information, call 406-4103 during these hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Or, just stop by the Center at 62 Pegasus St., Brunswick Landing, during those hours — they keep the coffee hot all day!

‘Till next time, keep the faith.

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Chick Ciciotte is the legislative chairperson for the Mid-Coast Veterans Council. He lives in Topsham.