By Sheila Ash A national effort is underway to end homelessness among veterans and Louisville’s Robley Rex VA Medical Center will host a summit on the issue Friday.The center’s staff, along with several community partners, will discuss a variety of initiatives including outreach, medial care, employment and housing.For the first time, Louisville is receiving housing subsidy funds through a federal program to help veterans establish and maintain a home.Todd Dedas, Spokesperson for Robley Rex VA Medical Center, says another federal program being offered is the Veteran’s Justice Outreach."Our goal in that is to try to divert veterans who are becoming entangled in the legal system and help them get the treatment that they need through VA services such as mental health services, substance abuse services things like that," he said. Dedas says last year there were an estimated 318 homeless veterans in Louisville.The event will be at Hotel Louisville from 1:00 to 4:00pm.
Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.