New Report on Homelessness: The Good, The Bad, and What You Can Do (December 17, 2012)

Last week, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development released their latest national estimate of the number of homeless across the country. While there are several points of good news, there are also sober realities that must be acknowledged.

Sequestration Doesn’t Hurt Veterans, Right? Well actually… (December 11, 2012)

It wasn’t too long ago when the term sequestration was one that practically no one used. Lately though, it seems that a news cast doesn’t go by without the word being mentioned. It is commonly thought that Congress and the Administration made sure sequestration would not hurt any programs that help our veterans, but that notion is false.

Honoring Those Who Serve Beyond Veterans Day (November 9, 2012)

This year, Veterans Day comes on the heels of a long election season. The divisiveness that characterized this election must now be overcome so that the big issues we face can be addressed. When Congress reconvenes here in D.C. on Tuesday, let’s hope they will remember the values we honor on Veterans Day – patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

New Data Show Nearly 1 in 5 Homes Have Some Type of Accessibility Problem (November 1, 2012)

Last week, the U.S. Census Bureau released the results of the American Housing Survey (AHS). This year’s survey had a core set of questions, as well as supplemental questions regarding home modifications and the needs of occupants living with disabilities.

Webinar: Housing Our Heroes: What City Leaders Can Do To Ensure All Veterans Have a Place to Call Home (October 17, 2012)

To help cities meet the housing needs of all veterans, the National League of Cities hosted a webinar focusing on the solutions to provide housing for disabled veterans across the “disability spectrum”.

National Initiative Launched to Help Returning Veterans (October 12, 2012)

On Tuesday, October 9, representatives from NLC joined more than 200 supporters from over 55 veteran and military service organizations, nonprofits, businesses and government agencies to celebrate the official launch of the Community Blueprint.

Supporting Veterans Requires Locally Driven Collaborations (October 9, 2012)

NLC Staff travelled to San Antonio to participate in the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans’ (NCHV) 2012 Veterans Access to Housing Summit.

Unique Collaborations Needed in Rural America to Meet Veteran Housing Need (September 28, 2012)

With the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan beginning to wind down, more than one million veterans will be coming home by 2016. These men and women will come home changed by their experiences to communities that have also changed while they were away.

Two Birds/One Stone: Finding Common Ground in an Election Year & Supporting Our Veterans (August 22, 2012)

In another sign that veteran-related issues garner bipartisan support, members of the House Armed Services and Veterans’ Affairs Committees recently held a joint hearing with both Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and VA Secretary Eric Shinseki.

Bipartisan Action in Support of Veterans Taken Before Congress Leaves for Recess (August 10, 2012)

On August 6, for the second time in as many weeks, President Obama signed legislation to expand and enhance the services and resources available for our service members, veterans and their families.

New Report Highlights Challenges for Veterans (July 20, 2012)

Last week, Paycheck to Paycheck was released by the National Housing Conference and the Center for Housing Policy. The report looked at the cost of housing in more than 200 metropolitan areas and the incomes earned for 74 jobs, including five jobs "targeted by training programs sponsored by the Department of Labor in partnership with the military and other organizations: carpenters, dental assistants, electricians, firefighters and truck drivers."

Bringing Veterans Back into the Fabric of Our Communities (July 3, 2012)

This year’s 4th of July is a unique opportunity to reflect on our nation’s veterans. As our military begins to wind down involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan, our nation also marks the 200th anniversary of the beginning of the War of 1812 and the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Vietnam War. What came out of these two wars were vastly different public responses.

"My pride is back": Ending the shame of Veteran homelessness (May 24, 2012)

With Memorial Day approaching, we may find our thoughts drifting to enjoying a few days with family and friends away from the rush of everyday life. But hopefully, for a least a moment, we will reflect on why this three-day weekend in late-May happens. For the more than 22 million veterans, this weekend is a time to remember and honor friends and fellow soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines whose lives were given for our country.

How Can Cities Best Help Disabled Veterans? (May 17, 2012)

During the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, more than 48,000 men and women have been injured. To put that in some perspective, this is about the same number of people living in cities such as Concord, NH, Salina, KS or Olympia, WA. With both of these wars winding down, veterans are in need of homes that allow them to become fully integrated into their communities.