Homelessness Down Among Veterans

More homeless veterans are finding their way off the streets and into homes across the country.

The most recent figures show that the number of homeless veterans was down about 7% nationally.

That’s according to a report released by the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The VA has a goal of having zero homeless vets on the street by the end of 2015. While some say it’s a hefty target, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki says it’s attainable and will be paired with ongoing preventative services, “The president’s been very clear. We won’t be satisfied until every veteran who’s fought for America has a home in America.”

Last year in Wisconsin, 539 homeless veterans were living on the streets or in shelters. The year before that, there were 607.

Robert Cocroft is the President and CEO of Center for Veterans Issues, based in Milwaukee. He says while most veterans transition into civilian life just fine, the ones that find themselves homeless usually do because of finances, “Many veterans who lack employment, even if we get them employment, have problems with obtaining employment that’s at a livable wage. So, affordability has been a key issue, along with any types of problems they may have as a result of their military service.”

Problems like PTSD or other injuries resulting from combat.

The VA also announced they will be tripling its investment into homeless veterans, awarding $300 million to organizations like the Center for Veterans Issues.