Agencies to Meet on Growing Homeless Problem

"What we're learning is that the number of homeless that are veterans is staggering. it's just staggering," said Prentice.

Where have you been? Living in another country?

Agencies to Meet on Growing Homeless Problem

Posted: Dec 3, 2007 09:54 PM EST

Boise, Idaho -- As the cold weather sets in, many local residents will be looking for a warm place to spend the night.

They are part of Idaho's growing homeless population, which is now so large, it places Idaho among the top 10 states in the country.

Reportedly, Idaho is sixth in the nation when it comes to the homeless. Half of those are in Boise and one-third of men are veterans.


Those staggering numbers are the reason for Boise First, The Forum.

"It's that the homeless problem is chronic, which is to say the numbers continue to go up," said Boise First, the Forum's spokesman George Prentice.

Prentice represents Boise First The Forum, an organized roundtable discussion to review solutions to the growing number of homeless residents in the Treasure Valley.

As winter sets in, around 400 people in Boise are expected to be looking for shelter on any given night.


"Of course we need shelters. On the other hand, now are we addressing the issue, where's the substantiality?" said Prentice.

A question federal, state and local agencies and organizations hope to answer, because it's not getting any better as children, women and veterans make up two-thirds of those becoming homeless.


"What we're learning is that the number of homeless that are veterans is staggering. it's just staggering," said Prentice.

The Department of Veterans Affairs Mark Heilman says it's been a growing problem for many years now.

"It's a number of issues. Some of it's mental health, some of it is substance abuse, some of it's just job losses," said Heilman.

Sadly, there's an increase in the number of women vets living on the streets.

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