Little Rock, Arkansas, becomes latest community to declare effective end to Veteran homelessness

Dec. 28, 2018, 10:37:00 AM

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Little Rock, Arkansas, becomes latest community to declare effective end to Veteran homelessness

WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced the recent effective end of Veteran homelessness in the municipality of Little Rock, Arkansas, bringing the U.S. another step closer to ending Veteran homelessness nationwide.

Little Rock joins 65 other communities and three states — Connecticut, Delaware and Virginia — that have effectively ended homelessness among Veterans.

“No American Veteran should be without a safe and stable place to call home,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “We will continue this important work until we achieve a day when homelessness among Veterans is rare and brief in every community across our country.”

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), VA and their federal, state and local partners have worked jointly to help Veterans secure stable housing through Home Together, the federal strategic plan to prevent and end homelessness.

Since 2010, the combined efforts of HUD, VA and their partners have helped cut Veteran homelessness nearly in half. This includes a decrease of more than 5 percent in homelessness among Veterans between 2017 and 2018. Since 2010, 698,620 Veterans and their family members have been permanently housed, rapidly rehoused or prevented from falling into homelessness through HUD’s targeted housing vouchers and VA’s homelessness programs

The Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System has worked with the other members of the local continuum of care to put Veterans on the pathway to safe, stable housing. VA provides wraparound supportive services to the Veterans, so they will remain stably housed.

VA medical centers serve as hubs for much more than just Veteran health care services. The Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System collaborates closely with state and local governments, nonprofits, corporate partners and community members to help Veterans meet their needs for housing, employment, transportation and other services.

These VA and local resources form a band of care that provides a holistic support system for Veterans and their families, including those who are experiencing homelessness. VA is continuing its sustained and coordinated efforts to end Veteran homelessness across the country.

For more information about how to support VA’s efforts to prevent and end Veteran homelessness, visit www.va.gov/homeless.

Veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless can contact their local VA medical center, where VA staff are ready to assist. They can also call 877-4AID-VET (877-424-3838).

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