The number of homeless veterans in New York has declined by 83% over the last 12 years following an increase in federal funding to expand housing subsidies for servicemembers, according to an analysis by state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli released Wednesday.

The state had 990 veterans experiencing homelessness in 2022, down from 5,857 veterans in 2010 — the largest decline of homeless veterans in the U.S. during that period, according to the comptroller's report.

“Veterans answered the call to serve our nation and defend our country’s ideals, and we owe them our gratitude and support,” DiNapoli said in a statement. “With federal support, New York is leading the way in reducing homelessness for our veterans. Continued attention to housing and other issues affecting our veterans is a necessary expression of our appreciation and a recognition of our duty to help these brave men and women.”

About 1% of homeless New Yorkers served in the military, down from 9% of the homeless population in 2010. The greatest reduction occurred between 2011 and 2016 when the number declined by 78%, largely driven by federal investments in housing subsidies.

The comptroller credits an increase of federal funding for housing subsidies as the leading reason in the reduction of homeless veterans. The policy changes and increased funding started in 2010.

"Robust federal funding has supported successful implementation of programs to help veterans, primarily through rental assistance funds from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program, the VA’s Supportive Services for Veteran Families and Grant and Per Diem program," according to the analysis. "These programs provide HUD rental assistance vouchers and supportive case management services from the VA to help veterans find and sustain housing in their community."

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has spent $2.7 billion on programs to address veteran homelessness, up from $376 million in 2009.

New York had 665,257 veterans in 2021, representing 4.2% of the state’s population, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

New York City is home to the largest number of veterans in the state, but Jefferson County in the North Country has the highest share of veterans within its population at 13%, according to the report.