The number of Canadian veterans experiencing homelessness has been on the decline in recent years, with numbers down by at least 17 percent over the past two years, according to a Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) memo.
Data shows that the number of homeless veterans has decreased from around 2,600 in 2019, to 2,000 in June of this year, according to a June 13 briefing note on veteran homelessness from the Government of Canada, which was first covered by Blacklock’s Reporter.
“The government is pursuing a coordinated, evidence-driven and collaborative strategy to eliminate veteran homelessness,” the briefing reads, noting that Canada has approximately 461,240 veterans.
The decrease in veteran homelessness was partly credited to the Veterans Emergency Fund, which offers quick, tax-free payments of up to $2,500 to eligible veterans for emergency needs such food, shelter, and clothing. The majority of grants issue a decision on an application within 48 hours….