ST. LOUIS — This February, a group of leaders in the St. Louis area called for an effort to put an end to veteran homelessness by Veteran's Day; however, days away from that deadline, a St. Louis County representative said while there's been a lot of progress, there's still a lot of work to do.
The St. Louis Area Regional Commission on Homelessness promised to end it by Veteran's Day of this year, with a coalition of leaders from Missouri and Illinois.
The areas included in the pledge are St. Louis city, St. Louis County, Jefferson County, St. Charles County, Warren County, and Lincoln County in Missouri. Meanwhile in Illinois, Madison and St. Clair counties are included.
The Salvation Army said at last count, this summer, there were at least 180 veterans homeless in the region.
"We have a lot of veteran homelessness in St. Louis," said Lakeysha Fields, the assistant divisional director of social services at the Salvation Army. "Definitely more than what we would like to have."
The Salvation Army offers transitional housing for 30 homeless veterans in apartments.
"To address whatever barriers they've come against, whether that's substance abuse, or undiagnosed mental health or just getting a job and integrating back into society," said Fields. "They need that patience. They need that support."
She said she's noticed progress since the pledge made in February.
"Anytime we put a lot of focus and a lot of resources into an area, we're going to have some good results," she said.
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She said there's more work to do for the men and women ready to sacrifice for this country.
5 On Your Side has been told by a city spokesman that there will be an update on the work that has happened since February.
The St. Louis Area Regional Commission on Homelessness did not respond to a request for comment.
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