ARIZONA NEWS

VA Secretary McDonough says veteran homelessness numbers improving in Arizona

Jun 21, 2023, 4:25 AM | Updated: 12:37 pm

(Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)...

(Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

(Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

PHOENIX — United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough said the number of homeless veterans in Arizona continues to decline, but there’s only one number that will satisfy him.

“We think that the phrase homeless veteran should not exist in the English language because anybody who swears an oath to defend us should have a roof over their head,” McDonough told KTAR News 92.3 FM last week.

McDonough said the goal for 2022 was to permanently house 821 veterans in Arizona, which he said the VA exceeded by 33.

The VA housed 253 veterans in Arizona in the first four months of 2023, pacing for another successful year.

Nationwide, the VA aims to permanently house 38,000 veterans nationwide per year, according to McDonough.

“We’re really proud of the work we’re doing here in Arizona,” McDonough said. “But as proud as we are of the work we’ve done today, we’re not going to stop until we have every veteran housed.”

McDonough attributed the success to their plan in getting veterans off the streets.

It starts with getting them into transitional housing before offering necessary services — typically job training, mental health care and substance use disorder treatment.

The final step is getting veterans into permanent housing.

“When we provide them that kind of support, then we can transition them into permanent housing,” McDonough said.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Taylor Tasler contributed to this report.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

(Pexels Photo)...

KTAR.com

Man who fell into tracks dead after being struck by train in Phoenix

A man was pronounced dead after being struck by a train following a fall on to the tracks in Phoenix on Sunday evening.

8 hours ago

(Photo by Olivier Touron/AFP via Getty Images)...

Associated Press

Judge affirms Arizona can no longer exclude gender-affirming care from state health plans

A federal judge has approved a final settlement eliminating a ban on providing gender-affirming care under Arizona state employee health insurance.

11 hours ago

Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone...

Brandon Gray

Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone announces he will not pursue 3rd term

Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone announced Monday he is not pursuing a third term and will be departing the office in January 2024.

13 hours ago

(Facebook Photo/Arizona Lottery)...

KTAR.com

Fantasy 5 jackpot ticket sold in Phoenix as Powerball prize exceeds $1B

It didn't take long for another Fantasy 5 jackpot to hit in Phoenix and lottery players could hit it big with the Powerball drawing on Monday night.

13 hours ago

Joe Perry, left, and Steven Tyler of Aerosmith perform Sept. 2, 2023, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania...

Kevin Stone

Aerosmith postpones Phoenix concert because of Steven Tyler’s vocal cord injury

First the Boss, now Steven Tyler. Add Aerosmith to the list of classic rockers forced to postpone their Phoenix concerts because of health issues.

14 hours ago

gavel hitting wood...

KTAR.com

Scottsdale man sentenced to prison for not paying employee taxes

A Scottsdale man was sentenced last week to over a year in prison for failing to pay the Internal Revenue Service federal income taxes that were withheld from employees.

15 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Home moving relocation in Arizona 2023...

BMS Moving

Tips for making your move in Arizona easier

If you're moving to a new home in Arizona, use this to-do list to alleviate some stress and ensure a smoother transition to your new home.

...

DAY & NIGHT AIR CONDITIONING, HEATING AND PLUMBING

Here are the biggest tips to keep your AC bill low this summer

PHOENIX — In Arizona during the summer, having a working air conditioning unit is not just a pleasure, but a necessity. No one wants to walk from their sweltering car just to continue to be hot in their home. As the triple digits hit around the Valley and are here to stay, your AC bill […]

...

OCD & Anxiety Treatment Center

5 mental health myths you didn’t know were made up

Helping individuals understand mental health diagnoses like obsessive compulsive spectrum disorder or generalized anxiety disorder isn’t always an easy undertaking. After all, our society tends to spread misconceptions about mental health like wildfire. This is why being mindful about how we talk about mental health is so important. We can either perpetuate misinformation about already […]

VA Secretary McDonough says veteran homelessness numbers improving in Arizona