While Connecticut was the first state to end chronic veteran homelessness, Virginia is officially now the first US state to end all veteran homelessness, a monumental achievement, indeed.
As of Wednesday, the state of Virginia has officially ended veteran homelessness, stated Governor Terry McAuliffe. According to the Huffington Post, the milestone declaration means that every veteran in the state has housing, except for those who were offered shelter, but declined.
The state press release shares that by streamlining resources and having the Department of Veterans Affairs, public housing groups, local utility companies and other key partners collaborate on the conundrum, Virginia has been able to house 1,432 veterans since October 2014.
The state will need to maintain its status, but Virginia has plans to secure a home for a veteran within 90 days upon finding out that they are homeless. The state will also have more homes readily available than the number of veterans without shelter to prevent the issue from presenting itself again.
Governor McAuliffe committed to first lady Michelle Obama’s Mayor’s Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness and was able to carry out with the objective ahead of schedule.
The initiative presented by Obama called for an end to veteran homelessness by the end of 2015. Since it was first declared in June of last year, 20 mayors and county chairs throughout the state have joined in.
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McAuliffe said this recent success will serve as the “launching pad” to end chronic homelessness for all Virginians by the end of 2017.
“This is an important victory in our ongoing efforts to make our Commonwealth the best place on earth for veterans to live, work and raise a family,” McAuliffe said in a statement. “However, we must remain committed to keeping homelessness among veterans, and, all Virginians, rare, brief and non-recurring.”
One state down, 49 to go. This positive news hints at a better future for America’s veterans and, therefore, deserves to be shared.
Please comment below and spread the news!
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Thank-you for this good news………….as you say, 1 down, 49 more to go………….cheers
Having employed, helped, fed, and guided homeless folks over the past 25 years, I can state that it is a fact, that anyone who is hungry, homeless, and getting the estimated average of $200 each day from pan handling, is doing so because they choose to do so.
Some of us are very disappointed to see “homeless” veterans, and other con artists with obvious mental issues, some having prosthetic devices, all sweeping through parking lots at stores, intimidating other veterans, poor families, to try to beg for money we just don’t have in our meager budgets!
I was raised in a US military family, and also retired from the military. I am a disabled Veteran.
I know these facts:
Goodwill will employ you, the Salvation Army will clothe and feed you, as will many Coalition for the Homeless shelters, supported by the congregations of local churches. All states will house you, if you contact the State VA. Then, there is the U.S. Veterans Administration Homeless Veterans program.
We are all weary of those who scam the charities, with tales of woe many of us have also experienced in our lives. It is difficult to explain why you are on the street, while I, with many disabilities due to my service, live in my own home.
Most of the street beggars appear as con artists, thieves, street muggers, using any “false crutch” to get more, but, to avoid any and all responsibility.
I give, ONLY to recognized charities who truly help the homeless, and others who are truly in need.