Mission Roll Call CEO Demands End to Veteran Homelessness 'As Quickly As Possible'

Mission Roll Call CEO retired Army Lt. Col. Jim Whaley urges swift action to eradicate veteran homelessness in the United States, highlighting the unacceptable number of veterans facing this crisis.

Retired Army Lt. Col. Jim Whaley, CEO of Mission Roll Call, a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing issues affecting veterans, has issued a clarion call for an immediate end to veteran homelessness in the United States. He emphasizes the urgency of the situation, demanding action "as quickly as possible" to resolve this pressing crisis.

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, on any given night, an estimated 40,056 veterans are experiencing homelessness. This staggering number comprises nearly 13% of the nation's homeless population, despite veterans making up only 6.2% of the general population. The high prevalence of homelessness among veterans highlights systemic challenges that military personnel face upon transitioning to civilian life.

Mission Roll Call CEO Demands End to Veteran Homelessness 'As Quickly As Possible'

Mission Roll Call conducts comprehensive surveys among its nationwide membership of veterans to gauge their perspectives on policy issues, including homelessness. In their most recent poll, an overwhelming 90.75% of veterans responded in the negative when asked if they believed enough was being done to address veteran homelessness.

"We know that there are thousands of veterans homeless right now as we speak," Whaley emphasized in an interview with Fox News Digital. "On any given night, you could have 40 to 50,000 that are homeless. That is a number that is staggering. It's embarrassing for countries such as ours, and it needs to be addressed."

Mission Roll Call CEO Demands End to Veteran Homelessness 'As Quickly As Possible'

Whaley, who is decorated with medals including the Legion of Merit, Air Assault Badge, and Humanitarian Service Medal, believes that support for military veterans must begin early on. He cites a troubling statistic that 24% of active duty military members currently face food insecurity issues.

"That's not a statistic that MRC came up with. That's a statistic that comes out of the DoD report," Whaley stressed. "Clearly, we're not paying active duty military, especially junior enlisted, the necessary salaries that they need to live and thrive. And that's an embarrassment."

Mission Roll Call CEO Demands End to Veteran Homelessness 'As Quickly As Possible'

Despite the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) housing over 46,000 veterans in 2023, organizations like Mission Roll Call strive to draw attention to those who fall through the cracks of government assistance.

"Even one Veteran experiencing homelessness is a tragedy," a VA spokesperson acknowledged in a statement to Fox News Digital. "We’ve made progress in recent years in tackling this problem, but there’s still a long way to go."

Individuals can play a role in addressing veteran homelessness by donating to organizations like Mission Roll Call, volunteering their time at veteran support centers, or advocating for policies that enhance support for veterans. The National Call Center for Homeless Veterans (1-877-424-3838) provides 24/7 assistance to veterans experiencing homelessness.

The eradication of veteran homelessness requires a concerted effort from government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and society at large. By working together, we can provide the necessary resources and support to ensure that our veterans have access to safe and stable housing.