Since 1926, the Legion’s veterans services officers have assisted veterans, including RCMP members, and their families through representation, benevolent assistance and advocacy. This includes serving homeless or near-homeless veterans.

Launched in 2012 by Ontario Command, the national homeless veterans program, called Leave the Streets Behind, has a mission to contact homeless veterans, or near-homeless veterans, and provide immediate financial assistance and support when and where it’s needed, while also connecting them with the appropriate social and community services to help establish long-term solutions. The Legion is committed to meeting the demand to help vulnerable veterans in every province, which is facilitated by the veterans services network and service officers who have the experience, knowledge and capacity to make a difference.

It’s anticipated that there will be an increase in veterans, many with physical and/or psychological
wounds, in need of support because of increases in the cost of living across the country.  Legion branches throughout Canada have been fielding a greater number of poppy trust fund requests from veterans of all ages and backgrounds, and in particular from near-homeless veterans, to assist with rent, food, clothing and emergency needs.

With the program expanded to new areas of the country, the Legion has partnered with the Military Veteran Wellness Program, other police and emergency services, the RCMP and Built for Zero, an organization dedicated to bringing together communities to support homeless veterans. These organizations will forward any homeless veteran they encounter to a service officer and Veterans Affairs Canada so they can receive the support they’re owed.

If you’re aware of a homeless
veteran or of a veteran needing assistance, please call 613-591-3335
or 1-877-534-4666 toll-free, to speak with a service officer, or email veteransservices@
legion.ca. You can also visit the Legion’s website (www.legion.ca) to contact a CSO in your area.