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.
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The VA will open a transitional housing facility for veterans and soon start a planning process for the redevelopment of its 387-acre campus.
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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.”
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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.
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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.
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FEATURE REPORT
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FEATURE REPORT
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World War II memories gathered from members of the GI generation who live in the Episcopal Homes in St. Paul, now in their late 90s or older, will be shared in a multigenerational, multimedia play this weekend.
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In death, Retired Army Sgt. Matthew Francis Kelly will get what he did not receive in life when he returned home to Philadelphia from the Vietnam War nearly 50 years ago: to be buried with full military honors, a parade, bagpipes, and a 21-gun salute.
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Jacksonville's Military Affairs and Veterans Department will use the funds, $231,750 from the U.S. Department of Labor, to support its Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program to help homeless veterans with job training and employment.
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Through a collaborative effort between the Lake County (Ill.) Coalition for the Homeless, Lake County government and the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center, officials say a safety net is in place to identify and provide help for any veteran calling the streets home.
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VoteVets, a liberal advocacy group founded by Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans, are behind the effort to distribute shirts Thursday featuring the USS John McCain, a Navy destroyer, along with the words, “Big Bad John.”
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At some point over the past 76 years, the charm of the structure got lost in rotting wood and a pervasive musty stench. It's plagued with mold, water damage, buckling floorboards and peeling paint. It's boarded shut, and used only by termites, rodents and the occasional homeless person who slips into the crawlspace below the building.
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Hundreds of veterans and family members were expected to visit Stand Down, a three-day event in San Diego to help homeless veterans. Besides getting connected to a number of service providers, visitors can pick up new clothes, get shaves, haircuts, food, massages and medical help, including acupuncture.
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The Balance of State Continuum of Care, which covers Mississippi outside of the Jackson Metro and Gulf Coast areas, has earned certification for creating a comprehensive system to address veteran homelessness, based on the criteria set by the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness.
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For veterans, the primary barrier to treatment is the stigma associated with seeking mental health services, which male veterans in particular consider a sign of weakness.
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The Improving Legal Services for Female Veterans Act would require the VA to partner with at least one outside organization to provide legal services, such as help with child support issues, for female veterans.
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The tireless founders of the Northwest Montana Veterans Stand Down and Food Pantry have been leading volunteer troops for more than 20 years to help veterans. Their latest project is transforming the long defunct Swan River Correctional Training Center near Condon, Mont., into the Camp Ponderosa Veterans Retreat and Learning Center in the Swan Valley.
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Vietnam War veteran Frank Romeo, nearing the end of his 750-mile journey across New York State, said he was anything but tired as he continued his campaign to raise awareness for war veterans struggling with PTSD.
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Veterans from across Long Island received acupuncture and massages, participated in yoga and learned about alternative treatments for stress and post-traumatic stress disorder at Saturday's sixth annual Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Project in Center Moriches.
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Texas' formalized program that also invites the public to veterans' funerals is among many efforts by states and organizations to bury vets with full military honors, in some cases when no one is available to coordinate ceremonies on their behalf, such as family members.
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Veteran injured after tripod thrown into traffic; Police arrest homeless man in case
May 18, 2019
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Air Force veteran begins walk across America to raise money for vets
May 16, 2019
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12-year-old entrepreneur raises $10,000 for charities benefiting veterans
May 11, 2019
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Vietnam veteran who spent 38 years in prison for crimes he didn't commit donates $80,000 to Thank a Vet charity
May 9, 2019
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Miller's Vets bid farewell to a judge who helped homeless veterans and the elderly
May 4, 2019
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17 unclaimed or homeless veterans are laid to rest with full military honors in Arizona
April 28, 2019
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Veteran suicides draw new attention after two Georgia deaths
April 20, 2019
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Agencies: Veterans’ homelessness ends in 11 central Illinois counties
April 2, 2019
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Veterans on lifelong journey fighting PTSD
March 31, 2019
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In gentrifying L.A.'s Echo Park, the VA is forcing these homeless veterans to leave
March 31, 2019
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Danny Brumfield, Vietnam vet who led a homeless life on the streets, dies at 67
March 30, 2019
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Florida veterans charity accused of being a ‘sham’
March 29, 2019
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Veterans helping veterans through crisis in California
March 20, 2019
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American Legion Posts still thriving, but in need of new members
March 15, 2019
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Michigan veteran and his nonprofit have unique way to help homeless vets
March 11, 2019
