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VA report shows decline in number of homeless veterans

A new report from the VA says the number of homeless veterans nationwide dropped seven-percent from January 2011 to January 2012.

The 2012 Annual Homeless Assessment Report says 62,619 veterans were homeless nationwide on a single night in January. The VA of Nebraska-Western Iowa says the number of homeless veterans regionally is down 20 percent.

Kerry Miller Loos, Homeless Veterans Program Coordinator for the VA of Nebraska-Western Iowa, says partnerships with community agencies are part of the reason why. She says the VA works with community partners to provide transitional housing and vouchers for veterans.

VA Secretary Eric Shinseki says the agency has a goal of ending veterans’ homelessness by 2015. Loos says that’s challenging, but believes it can be achieved through outreach to all homeless veterans.