CHICO, Calif. – The number of homeless veterans is on the rise. Nationally, the homeless veteran population has increased by 7.4% over the past two years.
Taylor Bunch, Executive Director of True North Housing Alliance in Chico, told Action News Now that the nonprofit served up to 100 veterans between 2023 and 2024. Of those, 32% were chronically homeless and faced one or more disabling conditions. However, 15 of them have been successfully connected to permanent supportive housing.
“The unhoused veterans we work with are truly unique,” Bunch said. “They’re some of the most giving people I’ve ever met. They’re often the first to offer support or resources, even when they have nothing to give themselves. They’ll step up to help with chores or operations without being asked. These are …