The homelessness rate for veterans in New Mexico has decreased by 11.4 percent this year, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Annual Assessment Report.
The report said that since 2010, the homelessness rate for veterans declined by 41.7 percent. In 2019, HUD found a total of 257 homeless veterans, but of that 257, 119 were in shelters, while 138 were not in places unsafe for human habitation, according to KRQE's summary of the report.
Nationwide, the homelessness rate of veterans has decreased by 2.1 percent after HUD partnered with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to focus on the issue. Nationally, 793 veterans have now found safe shelter, according to the report.
HUD and the VA have made targeted efforts to help veterans experiencing homelessness with several programs.
If a homeless veteran is discovered or someone is at risk to be homeless, contact a local VA Medical Center and speak with the homeless coordinator, KRQE said.
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