States and cities nationwide have already succeeded in putting a functional end to chronic veteran homelessness. Boston is on course to join cities like New Orleans and Houston by the end of 2015. According to the Huffington Post, in July 2014, when Boston pledged to participate in the Mayor's Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness, an initiative sponsored by First Lady Michelle Obama and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, there were 414 homeless veterans living on the city's streets. Since then, 484 homeless veterans have received housing.
A Veterans Day press release issued by Mayor Martin Walsh's office announced that a $200,000 endowment from the Brighton Marine Health Center would greatly assist with the mayor's goal of securing each man and woman struggling in their life after service a stable residence. The money will go toward the Homeless Veterans Housing Fund, which subsidizes the one-time fees that can hold up the housing process, such as security deposits, outstanding utility debt and rental application fees. Veterans with be funded up to $2,000 to meet those costs.
"No one who has served our country should be homeless – and in Boston, we're committed to giving our veterans the resources they need to succeed," said Mayor Walsh. "The Homeless Veterans Housing Fund is an integral tool to support our fight to end homelessness among our veterans."
Boston looks to be on track to meet its goal. When the initiative began last year, 50 percent of homeless veterans left shelter in under six months. Now that number stands at 70 percent. Additional veterans have begun to use the city's system, but hundreds of volunteers going door-to-door all over Boston are dedicated to ensuring that veterans have not only our appreciation, but the health and financial resources they are due.