A Nov. 19 report revealed an 11% decrease in the overall homeless population and that the population of homeless veterans on a single night has dropped by 36%. The Department of Housing and Urban Development report also indicated a 26% decrease in unsheltered population since President Barack Obama launched the “Opening Doors” initiative in 2010.
According to data from the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, 12% of homeless adults are veterans; 20% of male homeless are veterans; 51% of homeless veterans have disabilities and half have mental illness; and 70% have substance abuse problems.