Volunteers of America of North Louisiana held the opening ceremony on November 10 for a new Safe Haven home for homeless veterans in Shreveport's historic Highland Neighborhood, a renovated 23-room facility whose first residents organizers expect by December 1. The dedication ceremony took place at 2 p.m. at 1717 Irving Place, the building's new address in a neighborhood known for its century-old homes.
The ribbon-cutting was reported by News Radio 710 KEEL, which detailed plans for the facility to house 23 local veterans once move-ins begin. According to the station's reporting, the building includes two ADA-compliant rooms, and every room comes equipped with its own television. Staff will be on site around the clock, and residents may stay for up to six months while working toward permanent housing, whether through VA housing vouchers or their own income.
A Building With a New Purpose
Before its transformation, the Safe Haven building served as a physical therapy clinic, per the same station's account. The renovation team reportedly designed the exterior to blend in with the historic Highland district surrounding it, while the interior was shaped to feel like a home residents could be proud of. Jason Cram, identified as architect at Vintage Design Group, worked alongside contractors at Brown Builders on the project, and Bossier Press-Tribune confirms both firms collaborated on the renovation.
Gary Jaynes, described as vice president of veterans services, said the project could be adapted to veterans' specific needs because it was purpose-built after years of experience serving that population, according to 710 KEEL's reporting. Safe Haven is a joint program of Volunteers of America and the Overton Brooks VA Medical Center, and Bossier Press-Tribune reports the organization has operated the program in partnership with the medical center since 2014 — though the radio station's account places the program's start in 2013.
Low-Barrier Entry, High Occupancy
Safe Haven is a low-barrier emergency shelter, meaning it accepts homeless male and female veterans without requiring sobriety as a condition of entry, according to VOA North Louisiana. All potential residents must still be referred from other agencies, but the nonprofit says veterans living on the street can be housed almost immediately once referred. The organization describes the shelter's goal as building relationships with veterans and connecting them to longer-term services rather than simply providing a bed.
That approach appears to be getting steady use. Bossier Press-Tribune reports the program maintains an average occupancy rate of approximately 90 percent and has served 331 unique veterans, while 710 KEEL's figures put the total served at more than 330 veterans since the program began. Either way, the numbers point to a shelter that rarely sits empty, and one that organizers say helps veterans regain independence and rebuild their lives.
Funding and the Faces Behind It
The project reportedly carried a multi-million dollar cost and was funded through a mix of donors, grants, and sponsors, per 710 KEEL. Tricia Jowell, identified as vice president of PR and development, said investors enable the organization's work and believe in providing opportunities, promoting dignity, and inspiring change — a framing that underscores how much of the project depended on outside support rather than government funding alone.
A Local Piece of a National Trend
The opening lands amid broader movement on veteran homelessness. The Department of Veterans Affairs housed 51,936 homeless veterans nationwide in fiscal year 2025, the largest total since 2019, according to KTAL. Locally, the outlet also reported that the Overton Brooks VA Medical Center in Shreveport has played a role in housing nearly 300 veterans through various programs, including HUD-VASH, and that the center offers three residential programs within its homeless program.
