Health Care for the Homeless
Wednesdays and most Fridays at The Salvation Army in Gulfport, 2019 22nd Street,appointments are made for Doctor visits, dental, and vision care at no to little cost through the homeless program. For more information contact Genia Crane, M.ED. via the information to the right.
Mental Health Association of South Mississippi
PATH
Homeless Outreach
Substance Abuse Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) sites that according to estimates, one-third of people who are homeless have serious mental illness, and more than one-half also have substance use disorders.
People who were at one time contributing members of society are now living on the streets. They are prisoners of a lifestyle that causes isolation, hopelessness, despair and humiliation. Yes, some choose to live this way, but most do not.
A stable support system is vital to positive mental health. If there were not already a mental illness, stress, anxiety and depression are common for people experiencing homelessness. Many homeless persons have family or friends in another city or state who are willing to help them get their lives back together, however, they do not have the means to get to them. We know that some homeless on the Gulf Coast moved here looking for work. If funds are available and we are able to verify that the person has a place to live when they get there, we may be able to purchase a bus ticket.
Staff complete documentation to verify:
- the person or family is homeless
- there are mental health issues associated with their predicament
- income and expenses
- there is someone to help them upon arrival at their destination.
Other services that we provide include providing basic needs of supplies like food and personal hygiene items. We try to give bus passes to folks who have a doctor or other appointment. Staff work hard to match people up to other resources in the community. We communicate with other area agencies to figure out who is able to fulfill different needs.
We have a small budget for one time utility assistance, however, we get so many calls that the funds go quickly.
These services are provided by funding through MS Department of Mental Health, City of Biloxi and City of Gulfport. If you would like to donate supplies for distribution or funding for homeless outreach, please contact Kimberly or Melvin at 
228-864-6274. Thank you.
Veteran's Affairs
Become a Patient
All veterans are encouraged to enroll in the VA Health Care System. To begin the process, please complete an Application for Health Care Benefits. You can submit the form online, or you may print the form and mail it to us at:
VA Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System
Business Office (136B) - Eligibility
Building 3 Room 1B106
400 Veterans Ave
Biloxi, MS 39531
You can also bring the form to the Medical Center. The Eligibility Office is located on the ground floor of the Building 3 in Outpatient Clinic Area.
Whether mailing or bringing your application, please include the following items
- a copy of both sides of your current insurance card (including Medicare or Medicaid)
- a copy of your DD214, 'Armed Forces Report of Transfer or Discharge'
- (Purple Heart recipients only) a copy of your award letter if 'Purple Heart' is not noted on your DD214
To speak to someone in our eligibility office, please call
(228)523-4910 or (228) 523-4352
For more information you can also visit their website at:
http://www.biloxi.va.gov/patients/eligibility.asp
Mental Health Association of South Mississippi
Supportive Housing Program
Our HUD Supportive Housing Program (SHP) helps develop housing and related supportive services for people moving from homelessness to independent living. Program funds help homeless people live in a stable place, increase their skills and their income, and gain more control over the decisions that affect their lives.
Our program is for chronically homeless individuals with a serious mental illness. This type of supportive housing enables special needs populations to live as independently as possible as they gain stability in their new apartment.
Examples of who Mental Health Association of South Mississippi has helped -
This program has helped so many people regain their dignity and get their lives under control.
We have helped several veterans who were living in the streets, many of which also have physical disabilities in addition to mental disability.
We housed a homeless gentleman who was suffering from cancer and was able to spend his last year in a home instead of in the woods.
We put a man who had a brain injury and was rushed to a hospital in Alabama into an apartment once he was released. He is now doing much better.
We are helping a lady who seeks treatment at the VA and is now going to school for her nursing degree.
We rescued a man who was living under a bridge. He is now working, is able to pay his child support and is moving to be closer to his children.
We helped a homeless man who was living in his car. Now he volunteers at our center and reaches out to the community to mentor kids.
We helped someone who was living in a tent in the woods to get into housing. He is working odd jobs and has been able to visit his estranged wife and children in another state. Soon he will be moving to reunite with them.
We helped a 19 year old girl who is now working and has been able to get employment.
We assisted a man who is now living in another state with his daughter and grandchild after many years of not seeing each other.
If you would like to assist with this program by providing life skills classes or other resources, please contact Kimberly at 228-864-6274.
Veteran's Affairs
Homeless Veterans
If you are a Veteran who has lost your home, VA can help you get back on your feet. Contact VA’s National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-877-4AID-VET FREE (1-877-424-3838 FREE) to speak to a trained VA responder. The hotline and online chat are free and neither VA registration nor enrollment in VA healthcare is required to use either service.
When you call or join the online chat:
- You will be connected to a trained VA responder.
- The responder will ask a few questions to assess your needs.
- If you’re a Veteran, you may be connected with the Homeless Program point of contact at the nearest VA facility.
- Contact information will be requested so staff may follow up.
VA offers these services, all available via 1-877-4AID-VET FREE, to homeless Veterans and Veterans at risk of homelessness and their families:
- Opportunities to return to employment
- Safe Housing
- Health Care
- Mental Health Services
For more information you can also visit their website at:
MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST RESOURCE GUIDE
http://www.mssp.uscourts.gov/GULFPORT%20COMMUNITY%20RESOURCES.pdf
OPEN DOORS CONTINUUM OF CARE
(Mississippi Gulf Coast Region)
CONTINUUM OFFICERS:
Executive Director: Scott Williams
(228) 604-2048
President: Bud Boudreaux
Treasurer: Rev. Elijah Mitchell
Open Doors Homeless Coalition
11975 Seaway Road B-220
Gulfport, MS 39503
Back Bay Mission
1012 Division Street Biloxi, MS 39530
FAX (228) 374-2922
Executive Director: Rev. Sharon Prestemon
Director of Client Services: Rev. Gary Hart
Contact person: Roxanne Watts
(228) 432-0301 ext. 204
Services: Permanent supportive housing
Mental Health Association of Mississippi
4803 Harrison Circle
Gulfport, MS 39507
(228)864-6274
Fax: (228) 864-1310
Executive Director: Kay Daneault
cell: (228) 297-2503
Services: Permanent housing; Supportive services
Gulf Coast Women's Center for Nonviolence
P.O. Box 333
Biloxi, MS 39533
(228) 436-3809
FAX (228) 435-0513
Executive Director: Sandra Morrison
Contact person: Stacey Myers
Services: Emergency domestic violence shelter, Permanent and transitional housing Counseling, case management, advocacy
South Mississippi AIDS Task Force
2756 Fernwood Road
Biloxi, MS 39531-3520
TOLL FREE NUMBER: 1-877-385-1214 FREE
Executive Director: Brandi Clarke
Contact person: Trinette Crump, Program Director
(228) 385-1214
FAX (228) 385-1296
Services: Housing for homeless persons with HIV/AIDS and heir families; Case management/referrals; Community Education/School Education (prevention education for the six-county area); Free HIV Testing; Food pantry/direct emergency financial assistance; HIV/AIDS Information Hotline 1-800-826-2961 FREE; Transportation Assistance; Support Groups
The University of Southern Mississippi - Institute for Disability Studies
The University of Southern Mississippi - Institute for Disability Studies
730 East Beach Blvd.
Long Beach, MS 39560
FAX (601) 266-5114 (Hattiesburg)
Executive Director: Royal Walker(601) 432-6876/1-866-883-4474 FREE
Contact person: Chandar Turner
(601) 432-6929/1-866-883-4474 FREE
Contact person: Cassie Hicks
(601) 266-5163/1-888-671-0051 FREE
Services: Technical assistance and supportive services for homeless persons with disabilities cal assistance to homeless persons with disabilities
