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(Washington D.C.) The voices of veterans and veterans’ advocates are being heard. Last month VA Secretary David Shulkin scrapped plans to shift money from a major homelessness program, after listening to those who told him the move would aggravate conditions for the chronically ill and vulnerable veterans. 
 
Advocates explained the $460 million dollar program has dramatically helped to reduce homelessness among veterans in cities across the nation. In a news release Shulkin said, “There will be absolutely no change in the funding to support our homeless program.” Shulkin promised to solicit input from local VA leaders and others on how best to target funding to the geographical areas that need it most. 
 
Last month, Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released its annual survey showing a 1.5 percent increase in veteran homelessness during 2016. It marked the first increase since 2010. Most of the jump occurred in Los Angeles, where housing costs are skyrocketing. 
 
The HUD data shows there were nearly 40,000 homeless veterans in 2016. Additionally, the data showed even those with housing, still needed further assistance. The program has reduced the number of displaced servicemembers, serving 138,000 since 2010, and cut the number without housing on a given day by almost half. More than half of the veterans housed are chronically ill, mentally ill or have substance abuse problems.  
 
The full statement from VA Secretary David Shulkin reads: “There will be absolutely no change in the funding to support our homeless programs. We will not be shifting any homeless program money to the Choice program. The President has increased VA homeless program funding by $66 million in his fiscal year 2018 budget. Over the next six months, I will solicit input from our local VA leaders and external stakeholders on how best to target our funding to the geographical areas that need it most. Based on that input we will come forward with proposals for fiscal year 2019 on how to improve the targeting of our homeless program funding.”