Palmieri Introduces Task Force To End Veteran Homelessness In Utica

Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri has named a 10-member task force to develop strategies to end veteran homelessness in the City.

Utica was one of the first cities in the country to join the Mayor's Challenge to End Veterans Homelessness in June of last year.

Palmieri says the effort will be a collaboration between the city, local veterans groups and federal and state agencies to identify homeless veterans living in the city and find them permanent housing.

Jaime Forero is Field Officer Director for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  He says even one veteran on the street is too many.  Forero says Utica has made significant progress over the last couple of years. At one time, there were 35 homeless vets living in the City.  He says that number was down to five in January of this year.

The goal of the task force is to end veteran homelessness in Utica by December of this year.