Giving Homeless Vets a Helping Hand

Alaska has the highest number of veterans per capita in the country and, sadly, some of the highest numbers of homeless vets, as well.

Tools

By Lauren Maxwell
Bio | Email

Story Created: Oct 12, 2011 at 9:26 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Oct 13, 2011 at 1:50 PM AKDT

Alaska has the highest number of veterans per capita in the country and, sadly, some of the highest numbers of homeless vets, as well.

It’s one reason why Anchorage was selected by the Department of Veterans Affairs as one of 28 cities across the country to focus on programs for homeless vets.

The goal is to end homelessness for all veterans by the year 2015 which could be a tough task for Anchorage.

It’s hard to put an exact figure on how many homeless people on Anchorage streets are vets, but a recent survey of 355 chronically homeless people found about 23 percent of them were veterans.

A kick-off event at the Z.J. Loussac Public Library on Wednesday brought together agencies that help the homeless, including many programs run by the VA. Providers had a chance to brainstorm and share ideas for getting the word out to vets on the street that there is help available.

They also unveiled a phone number that Anchorage residents will soon see on posters around town.

The number reaches a national center that briefly interviews the caller and then promises to get back to them within 24 hours.

The number is for homeless vets, people who may know someone who is homeless, and also for shelter workers who find vets among their clients. That number is 1-877-424-3838.

You have indicated this comment should be removed.

Close

The comment has been submitted for review. Thank you .

23 percent said on Thursday, Oct 13 at 6:05 PM

I would have thought 100 percent given the signs they hold up pan handling.

75276107
Inappropriate? Alert Us!

kevin wieskamp said on Tuesday, Oct 18 at 11:22 PM

The person that said the remark about pan handling is he a vet or just a weekend blow hard? Has he been in a combat situation, and i don't mean combat fishing! I am a vet i have been homeless and i have never panhandled so do not tag us all the same if you were concerned you would shut your pie hole until u learned the facts of their back groun i seen people pan handle that claim to be vets but like you they don't know half of the story!

75531633
Inappropriate? Alert Us!

August said on Tuesday, Dec 18 at 12:05 PM

Homeless Veterans do not want PRISON-LIKE & ALL-CONTROLLING mandatory 12-step religious AA/NA cult & "Jesus Saves" insane asylum shelters; they want REAL HOUSING, REAL TRAINING, and REAL JOBS that pay a living wage....

109508026
Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

KTVA CBS 11 | Anchorage, Alaska News and Weather and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.