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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The motorcycle club’s ethos is grounded in community service. Before probationary members can be elevated to “full patch” status, they must first complete a monthslong service project detailing how their efforts have had a positive impact on their community.
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Founded by Vietnam veterans in 1974, the nonprofit has offices in Oakland and San Francisco, and provides housing, legal assistance and employment and training and other services to about 3,000 veterans a year.
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Jim Lindenmayer lost his younger sister to suicide nine years ago. The West Point grad and U.S. Army veteran doesn't want anyone else to experience the same pain his family has endured. So he is scrambling to help fellow veterans.
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As veterans groups appeal to the state to loosen restrictions on posts and halls during the COVID-19 pandemic, some chapters have been leaning heavily on takeout and limited-seating meals to stay afloat.
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Mary Ann Hotaling, an Army veteran and Army wife, raised $27,464 for Final Salute, a charity that helps homeless female veterans find stable housing and get back on their feet.
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VA Press Secretary Christina Noel said Friday the report would be released "in the next few weeks." The report was delayed because the department plans to include "a variety of COVID-related data," she said.
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Kelly Roser's attorneys say an otherwise exemplary military career was upended by a one-time positive drug test for marijuana that prompted a general discharge. But her drug use, they argued, was brought on by gender dysphoria.
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The House passed sweeping bipartisan legislation Wednesday that would give up to $174 million during the next five years to state and local organizations that provide suicide-prevention services to veterans and their families.
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Upon his death, John wants an American flag draped over his casket and then handed to his children. Of all the veterans' benefits he has sought over the past five decades — tuition assistance, health care access, and disability benefits, it's this gesture of an official military funeral he most desires.
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Omitted from one bill was a measure that would require all VA employees to receive safety training to help reduce veterans’ access to firearms and medication by using safe-storage techniques.
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Anthony Luton wanted to offer his home to help veterans in need. But his Philadelphia area house was in serious need of repair. He started Googling and found the help he needed to make it more livable: Habitat for Humanity.
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Anthony Luton, a Vietnam-era veteran, served his country in the Air Force and struggled with service-connected depression for years. By the time he was in his 60s, Luton was well on his way to earning a college degree in behavioral health. But he didn’t want to wait to help people. He felt he already had something of value to offer: His home.
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An artist's large watercolor portraits capture the many types of paths people take after serving in the military.
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“I think our veterans are even more affected because all these stressors may pile up to worsen their combat-related PTSD,” said veterans advocate, Ret. Col. Nestor Aliga of Vallejo.
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VA is approaching a historically high $250.9 billion budget
July 7, 2020
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Homeless veteran in Oahu reunited with his family on Independence Day
July 5, 2020
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Iowa native starts Fairbank hemp farm with help from fellow vets
June 21, 2020
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Homeless Tampa Bay veterans and their families find hope amid pandemic
June 17, 2020
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Man found dead in stairwell at Bedford VA Hospital campus a month after he went missing
June 16, 2020
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Veterans group urges White House task force to release plan for suicide prevention after delays
June 8, 2020
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Longtime Fort Berthold Reservation doctor, World War II veteran dies at 99
June 4, 2020
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Vietnam veteran, 80, volunteers every day in shelters with clusters of coronavirus
June 1, 2020
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Democrat-introduced stimulus bill includes support for homeless vets, hazard pay for VA employees
May 12, 2020
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Surgeon, 73, working to keep California veterans safe from COVID-19
May 10, 2020
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Advocates predict a long ‘road to recovery’ for homeless veterans affected by pandemic
April 28, 2020
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First Miami VA worker dies from coronavirus after being infected at Broward clinic
April 28, 2020
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Vietnam veteran saved homeless woman's life as home burned
April 25, 2020
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Bail is denied for man accused of punching, shoving Marine veteran into path of Chicago train
April 13, 2020
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'Stressed to the max': State relief coming for Minnesota veterans hard hit by virus
April 11, 2020
