A New Home for the Holidays: City Programs Help Homeless Veteran

A veteran who had been homeless in Pasadena for six years moved into his new home Wednesday, marking an achievement for the City of Pasadena’s Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PORT) and Geriatric Evaluation and Management (GEM) program. 

PORT discovered the unnamed man during a weather-related outreach event earlier this year.

The successful relocation was made possible through a collaborative effort involving the Pasadena Department of Housing, Union Station Homeless Services, Salvation Army, Friends in Deed, and the Department of Veteran Affairs. 

This collective effort not only transformed the life of the veteran but also demonstrates the effect of the City programs.

The City’s PORT program, launched in 2019, is a street-based approach that aims to identify individuals impacted by chronic homelessness and assist them in moving off the streets into permanent housing. The program provides supportive services and case management and is a partnership between City departments and community providers to help homeless individuals overcome the issues contributing to their homelessness.

The GEM Transitional Care Center, on the other hand, is a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility that provides rehabilitation, skilled nursing, and short-term care to Pasadena and the surrounding communities.

Homelessness is a significant issue in Pasadena. According to the 2023 Homeless Count, 556 people were unhoused on the night of the count, a 9% increase over 2022.