Fresno Mayor Joins Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness
FRESNO – On Wednesday, Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin joined First Lady Michelle Obama in committing to end veteran homelessness in Fresno by the end of 2015. With today’s announcement of the Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness, Fresno joins a growing number of communities across the country making the pledge.
“Too many of the veterans who have dedicated themselves to protecting the ‘Home of the Brave’ have no home of their own,” said Mayor Swearengin. “By building on our community’s ongoing commitment to this issue and sharing our successes with other communities, I’m confident that we can end veteran homelessness in our city and our country. I’m proud to join my fellow Mayors as we work toward the important goal of honoring the service of our veterans by making sure all of them have a place to call home.”
The City of Fresno will work with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH), and the National League of Cities to leverage federal resources and develop a local strategy to make sure every veteran in the community has access to stable housing and the supportive services they need to stay off the street.
Since 2010, when the Federal government launched Opening Doors, a strategic plan to prevent and end homelessness, there has been a 24 percent reduction in homelessness among veterans. This reduction has been achieved through a partnership between the Obama Administration, local governments, non-profits, and the private sector. Through this final push to leverage momentum and strengthen our commitment, the goal of ending veteran homelessness in America is within reach.
To learn more about resources for local veterans experiencing homelessness, visit https://www.onecpd.info/homelessness-assistance/resources-for-homeless-veterans/ .