AGENCY TESTIMONY
Progress in reducing veteran homelessness in NYC
0:05:58
ยท
77 sec
Commissioner Hendon outlines the significant progress made in reducing veteran homelessness in New York City since joining the federal government's Mayor's Challenge in 2014.
- New York City saw an 83% decline in homeless veterans from 2010 to 2022
- 90% of this reduction occurred in New York City
- Success attributed to increased federal funding and collaboration with various city and federal agencies
- Assisting homeless veterans is a foundational pillar of DVS
James Hendon
0:05:58
Veteran homelessness is one of the most critical issues that DVS engages.
0:06:02
It was a central focus before DVS was established as department dating back to our when our agency initially served as the mayor's office of Veterans Affairs.
0:06:10
In June of twenty fourteen, former first lady Michelle Obama announced the federal government's mayor's challenge to end veterans homelessness.
0:06:17
The mayor's challenge was an effort that the City Of New York immediately joined.
0:06:20
Since accepting the challenge more than ten years ago, the city of New York, including entities like DVS and the Department of Social Services, have made remarkable progress in significantly reducing the population of veterans and veteran families who are housing insecure.
0:06:34
As highlighted in a report by the New York State comptroller, New York saw an 83% decline in the number of homeless veterans from 2,010 to twenty twenty two.
0:06:43
The comptroller's analysis found that 90% of the 83% reduction came from the work occurring here in New York City.
0:06:50
The reduction in the city's veteran homeless community is a remarkable achievement largely credited to increased federal funding, our successful collaboration with the New York City Housing Authority, New York City Department of Social Social Services, New York City Department of Housing Preservation Development, US Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the US Department of Veterans Affairs.
0:07:09
Assisting veterans who are experiencing homelessness is one of the foundational pillars of this agency.