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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One year after Phoenix, the VA is under more scrutiny than ever
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Ohio-based nonprofit helps veterans reclaim their lives by covering rent deposits

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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.
Number of homeless veterans declines across the US

The departments of Housing and Urban Development and Veterans Affairs said the number of veterans who are homeless fell by 2% between 2018 and 2019. That follows a decline of 5% from a year earlier and is down by almost 50% from 2009.
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.
Trump, 2020 Democratic presidential contenders tout efforts to boost veterans

The Democratic proposals, coming two days before historic impeachment hearings, sought to highlight policy differences with the embattled president before a key bloc of voters.
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.
New study lists the best US cities for veterans

In honor of Veterans Day, WalletHub conducted a study examining the top 100 U.S. cities for veterans based on veteran-friendliness, livability, job availability and military skill-related jobs, among other criteria. Tampa, Florida, is the best city for veterans, the study revealed.
Bosnia, Iraq veteran who had PTSD instrumental in helping vets at Palm Beach VA Hospital

Service has long been at the center of West Palm Beach American Legion 11th District Commander Johnny D. Castro's life.

Volunteers help build Veterans Village in NC

Known as "Veterans Village," the seven home cul-de-sac is located in the Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity's development, Oakridge Estates, at the corner of Bunce Road and Old Bunce Road.
Native American veterans finally get audience with Congress

Native American leaders traveled from across the country this week to share their concerns with lawmakers about veterans’ barriers to health care – the first forum of its kind they’ve been granted in three decades.
Mortgage-free home gives Army veteran a new start in Orlando

Army veteran Nikita Wilson took a deep breath and then burst into tears as she stepped through the front door of her new home while a crowd of supporters cheered her on.
Marine veteran treks around Lake Michigan for suicide awareness

U.S. Marine Corps veteran Travis Snyder has completed an 810-mile trek around Lake Michigan for suicide awareness. He was inspired by the suicide deaths of two of his Marine brothers — one he was close friends with — in the past year and his own experience with depression.
Veteran shares journey of suicide attempt, sexual trauma in military to help others

More than 10 years ago, Heather Hennessey felt overwhelmed during her transition out of the Army to the point of attempting suicide. Hennessey has gone from that point of her life to being named the Veterans Affairs' first National National Peer Specialist of the Year.
Gold Star mother turns son's death into mission to help veterans

Theresa Hart's grief still shuts her down some eight years after her son was killed in Iraq. Her outlet for all that pain is to make sure other veterans get anything they need, for free, to ease their transition back to what most people know as normal.

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
Official: ‘Functional zero’ homeless-vets goal still possible for area around Florida city August 4, 2019
Minnesota governor: Landlords are missing link in bid to 'end' veterans homelessness July 31, 2019
Housing program for veterans may accept some non-vets July 29, 2019
Planned veterans community in Texas will put focus on learning high-tech job skills July 27, 2019
Once homeless, veterans swelter in Detroit apartments with bed bugs July 24, 2019
Colorado Army veteran lost her parental rights through rarely scrutinized legal process July 20, 2019
For 'unclaimed' veterans, strangers become family at burial services July 19, 2019
Play tells stories, from atomic bomb to internment camps, of Minnesota WWII veterans July 10, 2019

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