Binghamton, New York has become the first city in the nation to end veteran homelessness. Announced by city officials, the U.S. Department of housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), Binghamton becomes the first city to make good on the Obama Administration’s pledge, and specifically the Michelle Obama-led Mayor’s Challenge to end homelessness in the American veteran population. Binghamton Mayor Rich David signed the Mayor’s Challenge pledge in September:
David said from the moment he signed the pledge, everyone in city hall has worked nonstop to quickly make this happen.
"We didn't want another winter to pass where homeless veterans in our community would be essentially out in the cold," David said. "Fortunately, we were able to make progress in a very short period of time."
Binghamton is not a large city and the number of homeless veterans housed in order to fulfill this pledge was only 21 but they did it. That’s 21 people, who served our country, not living on the streets in Binghamton, New York, during the winter.
"I think the model that was put in place in Binghamton will be the model for many of these other mayors who are signing up for this challenge right now," David added.
HUD said about 250 other cities have signed up for the challenge.