Skip to content

‘Housing First’ program to identify vets living on the streets

CALGARY — Homeless veterans are getting some help from the Alberta government and the Royal Canadian Legion.

CALGARY — Homeless veterans are getting some help from the Alberta government and the Royal Canadian Legion.

A program called “Housing First” will identify veterans living on the streets in Alberta and try to place them in suitable housing as well as provide outreach support services.

The program has helped more than 30 veterans across Alberta in the past year.

There’s now concern that number could skyrocket with Canadian troops returning from Afghanistan.

Housing Minister Jonathan Denis says an officer will be assigned to assist returning vets in obtaining any federal or provincial government benefits.

He says the veteran housing plan is part of a larger provincial government strategy that’s helped more than 4,000 homeless get off the street in the past two years.