Homeless veterans

Five years ago, President Barack Obama announced an ambitious plan to house all of the nation’s homeless veterans by the end of 2015. The country has made steady progress since then, with more than 26,000 veterans moved off the streets and into stable housing, but considerable work lies ahead. As the president’s deadline approaches, Stars and Stripes will examine efforts by cities across the country to bring the remaining homeless veterans home.

The West Los Angeles Healthcare Center is on the Southwest corner of the San Diego Freeway (route 405) and Wilshire Boulevard.<br>VA

VA's West LA campus takes first step to return to its deeded mission: Housing veterans

The VA will open a transitional housing facility for veterans and soon start a planning process for the redevelopment of its 387-acre campus.

The difference a home makes

Living with fellow veterans in permanent supportive housing offers a healing camaraderie, an oasis of shared experience and empathy. “For some of them, being here is the first time they’ve felt connected to anyone since they got out of the military.”

Ending veteran homelessness: How cities around the US are doing

Since 2010, when President Barack Obama launched a five-year national campaign to end homelessness among veterans, the number of former servicemembers living on the streets has dropped from over 76,000 to below 50,000. Here’s a look at efforts in a handful of U.S. cities' progress, based on figures provided by federal, state and local agencies.

Vets in LA can text other vets for help with new program

As thousands of troops leave the military each month without jobs or a plan for permanent housing, a new text messaging program will link vets to peers who can connect them to the services and support they need.

Can homelessness among veterans ever be conquered?
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Ohio-based nonprofit helps veterans reclaim their lives by covering rent deposits

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Veteran homelessness reaches 10-year low, but unused housing vouchers could help more vets

Housing and veterans officials told House lawmakers Tuesday that the veteran homeless rate has dropped to a 10-year low as thousands of federal vouchers that could help get more veterans off the streets went unused.
HUD releases funds to help San Diego area's homeless veterans

About $3.8 million in federal dollars are being allocated to help veterans through San Diego County find housing and services that can lead to long-term recovery from homelessness.
Interfaith's retiring sandwich colonel is driven by faith

After 624 Sundays, 12,000 loaves of bread and nearly 94,000 sandwiches, Army veteran Michael Fontes is moving on, excited to explore new ways to volunteer his time.
Daytona homeless shelter helps 29 veterans to permanent homes in first year

Daytona Beach's veterans-only homeless shelter is turning a year old and the 20-bed facility, in one of the city's troubled neighborhoods, continues to be a refuge for those who've served.
Group helps Vietnam vet find new life on the Gulf Coast

The Vietnam veteran had been living alone for eight years in the woods of South Alabama. Although he was no longer drinking, his old enemy depression had beaten him down.
'We were forced to find answers’: Burn-pit injury and advocacy shape the lives of veteran and his wife

For more than 10 years, Le Roy and Rosie Torres' lives have revolved around his medical needs and veterans advocacy related to burn pit exposure. Thousands of veterans have linked their chronic medical issues to burn pits. The VA contends that there isn’t enough conclusive research to prove the connection.
Marine combat veteran credits Swords to Plowshares in quest to become defense attorney

From the time he was 15, U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran Bruce Calderon knew his ultimate career goal: become a public defender and work in the juvenile justice system, helping incarcerated and at-risk youths get a second chance — just like he did.
He died without a home or family. Now, an Army veteran will be buried in Fort Jackson cemetery

The Richland County Coroner’s Office searched for nearly two months to locate a family member who could offer Daniel Barker a proper burial, according to a news release from the Dignity Memorial Homeless Veterans Burial Program. But no one was found.

Jacksonville gets Veterans Legal Services Unit as part of statewide program in Florida

A new resource to help veterans in need of help in civil cases has been mobilized by Jacksonville Area Legal Aid as part of a statewide Florida Veterans Legal Services program.
Veteran overcomes mental illness as he pursues a degree to help him aid others

After years of struggling with mental illness, Marine Corps veteran John Wilkerson, 58, is enrolled at Eastern Michigan University and is aiming for a bachelor's degree in social work.
More than 800 homeless Minnesota veterans are finding stability through housing vouchers

Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) vouchers are more than money for rent. Tenants work with caseworkers from the VA and housing agencies to get connected with addiction treatment, job placement, mental health care and more.
Veterans Day search-and-rescue mission targets Washington DC's homeless

About 40 volunteers, led by a handful of former military personnel, marked Veterans Day on Monday by reaching out to homeless veterans in the District of Columbia.
After battle with homelessness and alcoholism, veteran feels 'like I’m 17 again'

When Navy veteran Mike Ryan checked himself into detox to recover from alcoholism, he said, he blew a high enough blood-alcohol content reading in a breathalyzer to kill a man his size.
D.C. veterans say so long to homelessness, with a little help from a rock star

The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation provided a $525,000 grant to a new permanent housing complex for homeless veterans in D.C. Bon Jovi has not served in the military, but his parents were Marines.

Bosnia, Iraq veteran who had PTSD instrumental in helping vets at Palm Beach VA Hospital November 5, 2019
Volunteers help build Veterans Village in NC November 2, 2019
Native American veterans finally get audience with Congress November 1, 2019
Mortgage-free home gives Army veteran a new start in Orlando October 15, 2019
Marine veteran treks around Lake Michigan for suicide awareness October 7, 2019
Veteran shares journey of suicide attempt, sexual trauma in military to help others September 28, 2019
Gold Star mother turns son's death into mission to help veterans September 21, 2019
Across the US, Habitat for Humanity is helping combat veteran homelessness — but community concerns often get in the way September 20, 2019
Tiny homes help homeless veterans September 1, 2019
Death of Alabama former Marine inspires fight against veterans’ suicides August 27, 2019
Wisconsin veteran shares journey from living homeless behind Walmart, to tiny home, to hope August 25, 2019
With Jason Kander in charge, KC veterans community a stop on campaign trail August 21, 2019
Junk hauling company has a mission to give veterans and others a helping hand August 9, 2019
Southwest Airlines flew the remains of a Vietnam airman home to Dallas. The pilot was his son. August 9, 2019
Kentucky veteran planning to honor POWs with memorial wall August 5, 2019

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