Well-funded veterans program lead to a decrease in homeless veterans [Video]

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – The number of veterans who are homeless has dropped significantly according to new data released by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. That includes homeless veterans in Iowa.

Nationally, the new data shows that the number of veterans nationwide who are homeless is now the lowest it has been since 2009. Back in 2009, there were 270 homeless vets. Last year, there were 128. The National Alliance to End Homelessness, the organization Cedar Rapids called to help its homeless issue, says this drop is due to a well-funded strategy targeting homeless veterans.

“Having the resources funded to scale is a big thing, and that is something Congress started putting more money on the table for homeless veterans almost 20 years ago,” said Steve Berg, Chief Policy Officer with NATEH.

Berg said this year the homeless veteran population dropped 7.5% from this year to 2023 based on the “point in time count.”

“It’s …