Wilkes-Barre, as part of VA’s nationwide homelessness goals for 2023, has permanently housed 208 homeless veterans, surpassing the facility’s goal by 171%.

These placements, along with placements provided by other VA health care systems across America, led to VA housing 46,552 veterans nationwide, meeting and exceeding its national goal by more than 22.5%

“This goal was achieved through the hard work and dedication of our VA Wilkes-Barre homeless programs staff, our grantees and contractors and our valued community partners,” said Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center Director, Russell E. Lloyd. “The progress we’re seeing with veteran homelessness in our Wilkes-Barre Homeless Program shows that we have the right solutions to end homelessness for all veterans we care for.”

Ending veteran homelessness is a top priority of VA and President Joe Biden, who has made supporting veterans a key pillar of his Unity Agenda for the nation.

Wilkes-Barre VA also exceeded the “Unsheltered Veteran Engagement” goal by 225%, engaging with 169 unsheltered veterans to connect them with the housing and resources they need to attain and remain in housing. Additionally, eight of the veterans who returned to homelessness were rehoused or placed on a pathway to rehousing.

If you are a veteran who is experiencing homelessness or at risk for homelessness, call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-4AID-VET (877-424-3838). Visit the VA Homeless Programs website to learn about housing initiatives and other programs for Veterans exiting homelessness.