I think this problem is a moving target and they will never achieve perfection, but this federal initiative will probably make a huge dent in the problem of homeless veterans. ATLANTA -- Mayor Kasim Reed says the problem of homeless veterans in Atlanta will be all-but eliminated by the end of 2015. Reed credits a federal initiative to house homeless veterans. Reed said the city identified nearly 700 homeless veterans in the city early in 2015. The count, he said, will be at "functional zero" by the end of 2015. Homeless advocates said that the program has been very visible and helpful over much of the last year genuinely finding housing for homeless veterans. But they said it's not likely to ever really get fixed. Che Williams said he is an Air Force veteran still on Atlanta's streets. Before he ended up at downtown Atlanta's Peachtree-Pine homeless shelter, Che Williams said he went to military school and served at two Air Force bases, achieving the rank of tech sergeant. Williams said he has been homeless for most of 15 years. He described Peachtree-Pine as the belly of the beast. "You're amongst drug dealers, you're amongst killers, you're amongst prostitutes," Williams said. And he said he's skeptical when programs come along trying to get him off the street including the program targeting homeless veterans. He bypasses such programs because by doing so, "I don't have to deal with all these rules." City officials said as improbable as it sounds, ending homelessness among veterans is possible. Mayor Kasim Reed said the "finish line" is within sight. "I certainly believe we're going to end homelessness for veterans. We're so close to achieving that right now." Reed said the program also finds housing for new homeless veterans within 30 days of being identified. Homeless advocates describe the problem as a moving target. "The only way you can declare victory is to say we have enough housing to absorb the veterans who are becoming homeless every day," said Anita Beaty of Atlanta's Task Force for the Homeless. http://www.11alive.com/story/news/2015/11/11/homeless-veterans/75610288/
I applaud their efforts, but some of studies try to inflate the numbers so who knows if it is ever possible to have an effective zero. They count veterans living with relatives as homeless for instance in some studies because that is not their name on the lease/deed.
States that supported Hillary gettin' lion's share of homeless money... $1,953,210,272: HUD Announces Record in Grants to 'End Homelessness'; 59% to D.C. and States That Voted for Clinton December 21, 2016 - In these waning days of the Obama administration, the Department of Housing an Urban Development announced on Tuesday that it has awarded a record $1,953,210,272 to thousands of homeless assistance programs across the nation, including some in Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Oh joy, another jingoist, rah-rah propaganda campaign that trots out "veterans" as poster-children, without getting their prior permission. Way to pander! Here's why it's not help in a nutshell: `And he said he's skeptical when programs come along trying to get him off the street including the program targeting homeless veterans. He bypasses such programs because by doing so, "I don't have to deal with all these rules."' The same can be heard from many homeless people, not only veterans. The politicians who seek to make a big name by themselves by making cities landlords (with many strings attached) is such an obvious fail. !. They're only in it for their only political gain, and 2. they just can't resist going full-authoritarian when it comes to "giving" the "free" housing to people. And surprise, surprise, even military people didn't join because they like being bossed around. I certainly welcome all legitimate efforts directed at getting at the root causes of all things that afflict war veterans, so that they will not become prone to homelessness in the first place. But lately I've become sick and tired of opportunist politicians who make all sorts of sweeping promises to "the vets", and never follow through once the photo-op is over. Wanna help a vet? Try paying your taxes. Fund the VA. Stop complaining about "the government" taking "my money" and support them...for real. And the next time you think about how you'd like to rule some piece of desert on the other side of the globe, don't. The best way to take care of "the vets" is to stop sending them on fools' errands in places that you're not the king of, and where they're not going to win. Just a thought.
Not entirely sure what you mean by that. You are aware that none of the 9-11 terrorists came from Iraq, right? So abandoning the hunt for Bin Laden (a worthy op) and ginning up dishonest reasons for invading Iraq again (not a worthy op) was just one more mission designed to choke our troops with cognitive dissonance. There was no good reason to even consider it as an option.
