Houston Mayor Annise Parker claimed Monday that her city has effectively ended chronic veteran homelessness, by establishing a program to house any homeless veteran.
Houston accepted first lady Michelle Obama’s Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness in June 2014, a challenge that was also accepted by more than 600 local leaders nationwide. The goal is to end veteran homelessness by the end of 2015.
According to Parker’s office, Houston is the first of the nation’s 40 largest cities to accomplish the challenge. It joined New Orleans, Phoenix and Salt Lake City, among others, that have set up similar programs ahead of schedule.
“Too often those that answered the call of service still find themselves struggling long after leaving the military,” Parker said in a statement. “Houston is there for our heroes, and just like on the battlefield, we will leave no one behind.”
Houston has the second largest veteran population in the country, according to local homeless initiative The Way Home. Since 2012, the coordinated efforts of The Way Home have reduced overall homelessness in Houston by nearly 50 percent.
“Our courageous veterans deserve the opportunity to experience the American Dream they’ve risked so much to defend,” Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro said. “Houston has developed the tools to identify and support every veteran in the city experiencing homelessness. We look forward to sharing its innovative strategy with folks all across the nation.”
