Human Services Programs of Carroll County, Inc. (HSP) has received a grant from The Kahlert Foundation to launch a new initiative aimed at ending veteran homelessness in Carroll County.
Over the past five years, Carroll County has averaged 23 veterans experiencing homelessness each year. Many face recurring housing instability and significant barriers to securing safe, permanent housing. Through this new initiative, HSP will help veterans experiencing homelessness access stable housing and build a path toward long-term independence.
HSP will use a transitional housing model, leasing housing directly and partnering with local landlords to help veterans move into safe, stable homes. Participants will receive individualized support to prepare for independent living and transition to permanent housing opportunities, including Housing Choice Vouchers and HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) vouchers, when eligible.
"We cannot forget those who have given and sacrificed so much for our freedom. With the support of The Kahlert Foundation, we can make sure that no Carroll County veteran will ever be forgotten. We also need the communities support to make sure we can sustain this program - ensuring every vet can have a warm place to call their own. HSP will use this model to not just make sure every vet has the opportunity to be housed - but to develop a successful model we can replicate to give everyone access to housing and upward mobility."
— Jenny Graybill, CEO of HSP
HSP serves as the primary access point for homeless services in Carroll County and brings nearly 40 years of experience in housing and homelessness services. Through its integrated, wraparound approach, HSP will provide low-barrier, strengths-based case management, financial education, and employment support to help participants achieve their goals.
Services will be offered in the community, at HSP, and in participants’ homes to foster consistent communication, build supportive relationships, and promote successful community integration. HSP will also connect participants with additional resources, including mental health and substance use services, job training, education, and volunteer opportunities.
Beyond addressing veteran homelessness, this initiative has the potential to establish a model for helping other vulnerable populations overcome barriers to stable housing and achieve long-term independence.
“Those who have served our country have made extraordinary sacrifices to protect the freedoms we enjoy every day. The very least we can do is ensure that no veteran in our community is left without a safe place to call home. But this responsibility cannot rest with one organization or one foundation alone. It takes an entire community stepping forward. We are proud to partner with HSP to take meaningful action, and we urge others to join us. Let’s stand behind those who have stood for us.”
— Ellen Finnerty Myers, Vice President and Executive Director, The Kahlert Foundation
About Human Services Programs of Carroll County, Inc. (HSP)
HSP is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that gives HOPE, inspires CHANGE, and provides OPPORTUNITY by mobilizing the community in the fight against poverty. For nearly 40 years, HSP has served as Carroll County’s Community Action Agency. Programs are designed to address the root causes of poverty and compliment and leverage public services, while guiding low-income households toward a path of self-sufficiency.
About The Kahlert Foundation
The Kahlert Foundation provides grants to non-profit organizations in the states of Maryland and Utah focusing in the areas of health care, education, youth, veterans, and human services. Today the current annual grant budget is more than $37 million making it among the largest private foundations in Maryland and Utah.
