2010 Program to End Veterans Homelessness Now Overdue

“MILITARY TIMES”

“In 2010, federal officials launched an unprecedented plan to end veterans homelessness by late 2015.

Now, six months after that deadline was missed, advocates are working to make sure the goal isn’t forgotten altogether.

This week, more than 500 community leaders joined with state and federal leaders to discuss progress and challenges in getting veterans off the streets as part of the annual National Coalition for Homeless Veterans.

Much of the conversation focused on continued collaboration among agencies and models for success. But there is also plenty of concern that the end of the initial public push on the issue and looming change in the White House will drain both momentum and support for the effort.

“It’s our job to make it clear that there is still work to be done,” said Baylee Crone, executive director for NCHV. “Veterans Affairs had a five-year plan to tackle this, but that was really a pilot program or a testing ground. Their investment in this can’t stop.”

At last count, around 48,000 veterans still struggled with homelessness nationwide. That’s down more than one-third from 2010, but not close to the zero figure officials have been targeting for the last five-plus years.”