Just before Wednesday morning’s Veterans Day parade, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo and Santa Clara County Supervisor Dave Cortese kicked off a new initiative called “All The Way Home” – a campaign aimed at getting homeless veterans off the streets.
It’s estimated that more than 700 homeless veterans are homeless in Santa Clara County, which make up about 10 percent of the 6,556 homeless people living in Santa Clara County. Nearly half of the homeless veteran population is considered chronically homeless.
"No man or woman who has served their country should sleep under a bridge at night," Cortese said. " We...are committed to stepping up our efforts and sharpening our focus on creating housing solutions for homeless veterans. Together, we can address this community crisis.”
San Jose and Santa Clara County, along with Destination Home, hope to find these people housing by 2017. San Jose is committing up to $6 million for new housing opportunities to help 100 veterans. The Board of Supervisors authorized an additional $1.5 million a year in housing and services for homeless veterans. And the Housing Authority has $7.445 million in federal funds available each year through Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Vouchers.
The campaign is actively recruiting landlords, apartment owners, corporations and faith-based groups to help with housing opportunities, including access to rental units, housing development, acquiring land and providing financial help.
The city and county commemorated Veteran’s Day at a ceremony at Plaza de Cesar Chavez in San Jose and subsequent parade.
