RICHMOND, Va. (WVEC/AP) - Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced that the Commonwealth has helped 1,432 homeless veterans find permanent housing in the past year.
Virginia has been certified by the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the US Department of Veterans Affairs as the first state in the nation to functionally end veteran homelessness.
The governor and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro made the announcement Wednesday at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond.
Virginia has a veteran population of about 800,000, according to state officials.
In Norfolk, Mayor Paul Fraim says the city has also achieved its goal in helping to end veteran homelessness.
"Veteran homelessness is a social problem that can be solved," said Mayor Fraim. "The region came together and focused its resources to create solutions. Our efforts will continue, to ensure those who protected our freedom have a path back home."
Currently, homeless veterans in Norfolk are able to find housing and other solutions to their homelessness, on average, less than 50 days from the time they are connected to the initiative. USICH has set the goal at 90 days for the National Challenge.
Gov. McAuliffe has made ending veteran homelessness a key priority.
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