HOUSTON EFFECTIVELY ENDS VETERAN HOMELESSNESS

BECOMES LARGEST CITY IN THE NATION TO CREATE SYSTEM TO HOUSE ANY HOMELESS VETERAN
Houston, Texas (June 1, 2015) Mayor Annise Parker announced today that Houston has effectively
ended veteran homelessness. Over 35 local agencies collaborated to build a nationally-recognized
response system that has housed over 3,650 homeless veterans in just over 3 years, and has the
resources to house every homeless veteran (or those at risk of homelessness) in Harris and Fort Bend
Counties. United States Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julin Castro, U.S. Veterans Affairs
Secretary Robert F. McDonald, U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Thomas E. Perez, and U.S.
Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Matthew Doherty, as well as hundreds of
veterans, service members, local and national stakeholders, elected officials, and community leaders
joined Mayor Parker at Union Station in downtown Houston to celebrate the historic achievement.
Too often those that answered the call of service still find themselves struggling long after leaving the
military. Houston is there for our heroes, and just like on the battlefield, we will leave no one behind,
said Mayor Parker. From regular provider coordination meetings and aligning local and federal
resources, to dedicated street outreach teams and a coordinated assessment system that identifies,
assesses, refers and navigates homeless veterans to housing, the Houston region has come together as a
team to transform our homeless response system to effectively end veteran homelessness.
Houston is the fourth largest city in the United States, with the second largest veteran population
(300,000). Approximately 3,000 veterans return to Houston every year, and it is an unfortunate reality
that some veterans will experience housing instability and may become homeless. However, Houston is
engaged with all known veterans who have been identified as experiencing homelessness and has put in
place a rapid identification and outreach system for responding to new instances of homelessness
among veterans. Moreover, Houston has the capacity and resources to respond to future needs by
preventing homelessness when possible or rapidly rehousing homeless veterans into safe and stable
housing.
Our courageous veterans deserve the opportunity to experience the American Dream theyve risked so
much to defend, said HUD Secretary Julin Castro. Thanks to our coalition of federal and local
leadership, Houston has developed the tools to identify and support every veteran in the city
experiencing homelessness. We look forward to sharing its innovative strategy with folks all across the
nation. Together, we can ensure that every veteran, in every community, enjoys the chance to build a
brighter tomorrow.
In June 2014, Mayor Parker accepted First Lady Michelle Obamas Mayors Challenge to End Veteran
Homelessness. Over 604 local leaders across the nation have accepted the Challenge, including 460
mayors, seven governors, and 137 other county and city officials. Houston is the first of the nations 40
largest cities to accomplish this Challenge.
"Today, every homeless veteran in Houston has a permanent housing option available to them, said
Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald. We are proud of the vital role that our Michael E.
DeBakey Medical Center played in creating and continuing to operate a system capable of consistently
responding to a large steady state volume of veterans who experience housing instability, helping them
rapidly return to permanent housing.
Department of Labor Secretary, Thomas E. Perez added, Homeless veterans face complex challenges,
and addressing them requires the federal government, local leadership, funders and non-profits to join
forces to provide comprehensive solutions. Houstons achievement illustrates what we can accomplish

when we break down silos and work together toward common goals. We look forward to working with
the Houston region to further prevent and reduce homelessness through expanded access to housing
and job training opportunities.
Houstons effort to end veteran homelessness is part of the regions multi-faceted, community-driven
initiative to prevent and reduce homeless, known as The Way Home. In addition to effectively ending
veteran homelessness, nearly 70 local governmental, business, faith, non-profit and charitable
organizations are working together to end chronic homelessness and reduce family and youth
homelessness in Houston. Since 2012, the coordinated, collective efforts of The Way Home have
reduced overall homelessness in Houston by nearly 50%.
Houstons remarkable progress is proof positive of what can be accomplished when a strong network
of community partners collaborate with federal agencies to end Veteran homelessness, added USICH
Executive Director Matthew Doherty. We are grateful for the hard work and dedication of everyone
who has contributed to this work, and we appreciate the strong example Houston is providing of the
efficient systems that are needed to achieve, but also to sustain, the end of Veteran homelessness
throughout the country.
To learn more about The Way Home and Houstons collaborative system to prevent and end
homelessness, visit www.thewayhomehouston.org. Any veteran experiencing housing instability is
encouraged to call the VA Homeless Veteran Hotline at 1-877-4AID-VET, or visit the McGovern VA Dropin Center at 1418 Preston Street.
###
Media Contacts:
City of Houston Marc Eichenbaum, marc.eichenbaum@houstontx.gov or (281) 660-6946
The Way Home Jennifer Evans, jen@jlevans.com or (832) 692-7615
Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center maureen.dyman@va.gov, or (713) 591-2427