Getting Through Hard Times Looks at Homeless Vets

All week long we have been looking at the issue of homelessness here in Upper Michigan.

And just as more troops are pulling out of Iraq we look to what some of those who have already served are dealing with now.

President Obama has initiated a plan to end veterans and chronic homelessness by 2015.

In the last year the number of homeless veterans across the nation has dropped by 12 percent. But the UP, however has seen an increase.

In 2010 84 Homeless Veterans presented themselves to agencies across the UP. In 2011 that number rose to 264.

That significant increase has promted the start of more assistance programs.

Prior to 2009 there wasn’t much programming available to homeless veterans in the UP.

Now there are three main programs including a partnership between housing and urban development and the VA to provide to help provide permanent housing but it still not enough.

15 vouchers are currently in use in the UP but there is always a need for more.

Tomorrow night wraps up our week long series dealing with hard times in the UP and we’ll fill you in on what you can do to help.