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First Ever Collaborative Report on the State of Homelessness among America's Veterans
Today the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published the most authoritative analysis of the extent and nature of homelessness among American veterans. According to HUD and VA's assessment, nearly 76,000 Veterans were homeless on a given night in 2009 while roughly 136,000 veterans spent at least one night in a shelter during that year.
This unprecedented assessment is based on an annual report HUD provides to Congress and explores in greater depth the demographics of veterans who are homeless, how veterans compare to others who are homeless, and how veterans access and use the nation's homeless response system.
"Good data provides us with real information on the challenges of homelessness so that some critical understanding of these challenges can be determined and viable solutions can be achieved," said USICH Deputy Director Anthony Love. "The Veteran AHAR is essential to having the clearest understanding possible of the scope and breadth of veteran homelessness and to measuring our progress toward ending it."
HUD and VA are currently working together to administer a joint program specifically targeted to veterans experiencing homelessness. Through the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program, HUD provides rental assistance for homeless veterans while VA offers case management and clinical services. Since 2008, a total investment of $225 million is working to provide housing and supportive service for approximately 30,000 veterans who would otherwise be homeless
- Read the Full Report - Read USA Today's Coverage of this Story |
