SAN ANTONIO -- Veterans suffering from homelessness is a major problem our country is facing.
- More than 40,000 veterans facing homelessness
- 2,000 of them are on the streets in Texas
- One organization is trying to help
According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban development, more than 40,000 veterans are facing homelessness. Of those 40,000, more than 2,000 are living on the streets in Texas.
"It’s hard to live out here, especially when you’ve got no money," said Marine veteran Raymond Palmer. "Sometimes when I don’t got the money, I don't have any food."
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For the former Marine, it's a daily struggle.
"I love my country. I’ve served this country for 33 years," said Palmer.
Palmer is currently living on the streets of San Antonio, often referred to as Military City USA. He's part of nearly 300 homeless veterans in San Antonio who struggle to get the basic necessities.
Organizations, though, like the American GI Forum, are stepping in to help at its 22nd Annual Stand Down event.
"We don’t turn anybody away. We were able to provide them all a hot meal," said Carlos Martinez, president of American GI Forum in San Antonio. "They had both civilian and military clothing available to them, especially some of the cold weather gear they need for the upcoming months."
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There's a wide array of reasons why many veterans are living on the streets.
"The backpack, the big pack, a sleeping bag 'cause right now I’m on the streets cause somebody stole my truck," said Palmer.
In San Antonio, there has been a steady decline, however, in the number of homeless veterans living on the streets.