AKRON, Ohio -- Akron has sufficient housing to meet the needs of all homeless veterans in the community, giving it a federal "functional zero" status fewer than 50 U.S. cities have earned.

The designation, launched by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in 2016, is awarded by the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Akron's designation is the result of the seven-member, community-wide Veterans Functional Zero Group, which created an ongoing process to identify all Akron-area homeless veterans, regardless of discharge status. It tracks and monitors vets who are homeless or at-risk for homelessness, and offers resources to those who want housing.

The Veterans Functional Zero Group has placed more than 100 area veterans in housing since it began meeting in January 2016.

"This designation is a significant achievement for the city of Akron and the Continuum of Care, and a milestone in our fight to end veterans' homelessness in this community," Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan said in a news release. "Our community has come together and made thoughtful, ongoing use of our best resources, expanded services, and removed barriers that prevent the homeless in our city from accessing housing and care. Our city is fortunate to have so many strong, supportive partners in this effort."

The Veterans Functional Zero Group also includes members of the Akron/Barberton/Summit County Continuum of Care led by the city of Akron, Community Support Services, Family and Community Services, Haven of Rest and the Veterans Administration.

"This is making sure there is a system to address veteran homelessness and provide them with the assistance they want and need," said Joe Scalise, vice president of access services at Info Line Inc. and chairman for the group. "This shows how working together in these partnerships makes us stronger. This is not the last step -- it's just the beginning."

To earn the designation, communities must:

identify all veterans experiencing homelessness.

provide shelter immediately to any veteran experiencing unsheltered homelessness who wants it.

provide service-intensive transitional housing only in limited instances.

have capacity to assist veterans to swiftly move into permanent housing.

have resources, plans, partnerships and system capacity in place, should any veteran become homeless or be at risk of homelessness in the future.

The Veterans Functional Zero Group continues to meet monthly to review cases, identify new homeless veterans and discuss ways to best assist those in need.

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