Fewer veterans were living on the streets in Clark County last year as more moved into housing. Homelessness among veterans also fell nationwide.
According to Council for the Homeless data released in October, Clark County saw a jump in veterans exiting homelessness. In 2022, 37 veterans entered a housing program locally. In 2023, 50 did, a 35 percent increase.
The report found veteran homelessness decreased by 25 percent between 2022 and 2023. The report attributes the drop to an updated list of homeless veterans that clarifies their housing status.
Research indicates veterans are at greater risk of becoming homeless compared with the general population. Experts attribute this to trauma from combat, difficulty transitioning to civilian life, isolation and other factors.
In addition to better tracking, the decrease in the number of homeless veterans is also thanks to a specialized team that had regular case management meetings with homeless veterans, resulting in them finding housing, according to the report.
The team includes the Clark County Veterans Assistance Center.
“It’s a lot of agencies being able to wrap around these people and help them with our different strengths,” the center’s president, Lori Pugh, said. “We hold their hand for a couple of months but then let them go. Sometimes, we realize we did not give them enough time to acclimate … and they’re back on the streets. But then we try again. With this group, we can track these people so that the next time sticks.”
In December 2023, the city of Vancouver opened its fourth Safe Stay shelter, Kiggins Village. The shelter — made up of 20 small sheds and located in the Lincoln neighborhood — is operated by Do Good Multnomah. Many of Kiggins Village’s residents have served in the armed forces.
Dale Smith, program manager at Kiggins Village, said he’s thrilled to see the impact on veteran homelessness locally.
“I say this humbly: We’re also not super surprised,” Smith said. “The city of Vancouver has made a huge investment in reducing veteran homelessness through Kiggins Village, and moving veterans into permanent housing is literally the mission of Do Good.”
Last December, half of the shelter’s pods housed veterans. Since opening in December, Kiggins Village has served 24 veterans, 14 of whom moved into stable housing.
“It is incredible to see what’s possible when we come together with an intentional focus and collaboration, and that the stable environment a village shelter provides is working. And it shows the value of wraparound support in solving this crisis,” Smith said. “We’re proud to be a part of this solution for veterans.”
