Veteran’s Day is a time to honor the service and sacrifice of the many men and women who served in the U.S. military. The best way we at the Alliance believe we can do that is by ensuring that every single one of these men and women and their families have a warm and safe place to call home.
Five years ago, the White House and the Department of Veterans Affairs issued a challenge to the nation: end veteran homelessness. Since that day, the Obama administration, Congress, as well as local and community partners, and stakeholders like the Alliance have been hard at work to improve and invest in programs and system changes that will house our heroes.
Nationally, we are seeing results. According to the 2014 Point-in-Time Count, the number of homeless veterans has dropped 33 percent since that challenge was issued.
The Alliance has been proud to be a part of efforts to build and leverage public support for the political will, local know-how, and effective collaboration. Efforts we have supported in several communities, including New Orleans and Houston, have led to an effective end to veteran homelessness.
Similar efforts are currently underway in many more communities across the country, which means the list will continue to grow through the end of the year into early next year. Communities like these are showing what we can accomplish when we have the necessary resources and the will to back proven solutions.
However, many other communities are still at the very beginning of this journey and some that have yet to undertake a coordinated effort. There is no voice that is too small or too soft to urge local leaders to take action. Anybody can be that voice of change, even you. Visit the Alliance’s "Be The Voice" webpage for some suggestions on how to get a conversation going about ending veteran homelessness in your community.
On this Veterans Day, please join us in recognizing the dignity and sacrifice of the men and women who served our country.
Happy Veterans Day.