Veteran Overcomes Adversity with Resilience and Support from VA

Following the aftermath of two hurricanes that rendered her homeless, Navy Veteran Margarita Belmarez showcased remarkable resilience, drawing strength from her military background and unwavering determination to rebuild her life. With the aid of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), she transitioned from living in her car to becoming a homeowner within just two years.

Having enlisted in the Navy in 1978 to escape a detrimental home environment, Belmarez served for eight years as a mess management specialist. Despite encountering challenges during her service, her resolve remained unshaken.

While stationed in New Orleans post-training, the young recruit fell victim to sexually assaulted, highlighting a distressing issue that many women in the military face. Discouraged from speaking out to protect her career, she silently bore the trauma, further complicating her circumstances.

Upon returning to New Orleans in 2002 post-service, Belmarez confronted a different kind of turmoil as Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, leaving the city in shambles. Despite the devastation, she opted to remain and reconstruct her life. However, subsequent hurricanes along the Gulf Coast left her homeless once again.

Seeking refuge at her parents' home in Texas, Belmarez faced yet another setback when Hurricane Harvey hit in 2017, wiping out the remainder of her belongings. Recalling the tumultuous period, she remarked, "Whatever Katrina didn’t take from me, Harvey got the rest."

Amidst her struggles, a fellow veteran advised her to reach out to the VA for assistance. Guided by a compassionate VA counselor who comprehended her unique journey, Belmarez was introduced to the Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) voucher program.

Within a short span of three months, she secured her own apartment. With a 100% disability rating and surpassing the program's income thresholds, her HUD-VASH social worker Eddie Sanford steered her towards the VA home loan initiative, facilitating her acquisition of a new residence.

Reflecting on her transformation, Belmarez expressed gratitude for the assistance provided by the VA, remarking, "It’s been an amazing turnaround in my life since VA has come in to assist me. I never knew about the help that was there, but it was." 

Now settled and thriving in her fresh start, she is dedicated to aiding fellow veterans grappling with homelessness, guiding them towards the beneficial VA programs that aided her. She particularly encourages female veterans to seek support.

For veterans encountering housing difficulties, there are various avenues of support accessible. The HUD-VASH program, a collaborative effort between HUD and VA, combines housing vouchers with supportive VA services to aid homeless veterans and their families in securing and maintaining permanent housing. 

Additional details can be found on hud.gov. Veterans seeking home loan assistance can apply through the VA home loan program.

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Need more resources about housing support? Take a look at these articles:

• How Government Grants Provide Critical Assistance for Homelessness Crisis
• Emergency Housing Assistance To Help You Avoid Homelessness
• Medicaid's Pioneering Approach to Tackling Homelessness