One of the most under-realized facts about homelessness is the large number of military veterans who are homeless.  The foothills of the Coast Range in Washington County are home to as many as 300 vets.  Some choose to live outside of society because they lack the skills and desire to be a part of it all, and they find that the wooded camps provide them the same security they felt as members of the military.  Others, though, have been forgotten by the world after sacrificing themselves for their country.  A survey conducted in Washington County found that Vietnam era vets average 145 months of being homeless, or over 12 years.  For Gulf War vets, it’s an average of 8 months of homelessness, during a time in which our veterans are generally treated with a great deal more respect than their predecessors received.  The survey also found the top three reasons a vet is homeless – a mental or emotional disorder, unemployment, or medical problems. 

Seeking creative and loving ways to help solve this issue, Lacey Palmer is a young woman who has chosen to serve our veterans of Washington County.  She, along with her husband Mike Bryant, run Lacey’s House in the heart of downtown Hillsboro, a home dedicated to providing a residence and services for homeless veterans.  Opened initially in 2009, it expanded one year later to a house that can house up to 30 full time residents, though due to the economic issues Oregon still faces, she only has enough operating budget to house 16 currently. They hope to be able to soon reopen the remaining beds, and open another house to be able to further serve more veterans.

She was inspired to open Lacey’s House by her father, Jim, a Vietnam vet who had two strokes when she was just 8 years old.  She was the one who dialed 911 to save him, and watched him struggle with the VA during his rehab.  He recovered, and has since spent the last 13 years as an accredited Oregon Veteran Service Officer for Washington County.  Lacey’s passion to serve other veterans is carried out daily by making lives better for other veterans. 

Lacey’s House partners with Washington County Veterans Service Counselors to provide coordination of services, and to help residents sort through the paperwork needed to apply for VA benefits. WCVSC also helps with job training and placement services.  The House also owns a small bus to provide transportation to and from medical or veteran-related appointments as well as community events. The adjunct resource center is open Monday through Friday from 10-2 for vets to stop in and pick up mail or a hygiene kit, get a shower, do laundry, use the computer lab, or get free clothing and food. About 5-8 veterans a day get assistance through this center, many coming in from directly from the woods.

Veterans need to be completely drug- and alcohol-free in order to live at the house.  The only other qualification is that they must be a veteran.  Chores are shared by all.  There is only one employee, Lacey, and the other eight full time staff members are volunteers, who give five days a week to helping the residents. 

Lacey is also busy being a mother to toddler Silas.  Her husband, Mike, said, “She brings new meaning to passion and integrity.  The veterans come from everywhere asking to speak with ‘the lady named Lacey,’ ‘I’ve been told I can trust her.’”

She accepts no government funds for her center.  Fundraising efforts have included two classic car raffles in both 2010 and 2011, beginning with the 1968 Chevy Camero restored by her husband, and donations from WalMart during a Today Show broadcast in December 2010, and the U of O Alumni Association.  They are waiting to find a program with which to partner that fits their standards to begin to help reintegrate the vets they serve back into society. 

Both the City of Hillsboro and the surrounding businesses have been supportive, and State Senator Bruce Starr helped with paving the way bureaucratically for the house to open.  Local businesses offer tools, products, and volunteers to help with maintenance and operations.

As would be expected dealing with persons with mental illness or distrust of society, and the economic pressures of running such a center, some days are better than others, and Mike says it is their faith in Jesus that keeps them going, and they feel blessed to have a strong family who gives them hope.

As if running the house was not enough, the Palmer-Bryants also have adopted the pioneer cemetery across from Winco in Hillsboro. They would love to have volunteers to help with upkeep and cleaning tasks.  Call 503-890-9791 if you wish to help.

Mike says that the public is welcome to stop by the house to meet them and see what it is that they do.  He encourages people who wish to help to join them as one family helping both young and old veterans.  Cash donations may be made at any Wells Fargo branch, or they may be mailed to the house at 530 S. 1st Ave, Hillsboro, Oregon, 97123.  Donations of new jeans, sweatshirts, jackets in large sizes, underwear, socks, and long underwear are also welcome.  Some of the vets are women, so they will take any sizes of undergarments.  They can also use donations of day-to-day items like toilet paper, liquid dish soap, laundry detergent, and dog food. 

For more information, please visit www.laceyshouse.com.