Obama administration mentions Chattanooga in mayoral challenge to end veteran homelessness

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

photo Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke meets with Barack Obama in this summer 2013 file photo.

The Obama administration announced today the creation of a challenge to city mayors across the country to end veteran homelessness in their communities by 2015.

Among a list of 75 mayors, county and state officials, Chattanooga was listed as the only city in Tennessee that has already made this pledge.

In April, Mayor Andy Berke signed an executive order that established a coalition to study veteran homelessness and then pledged to find a solution by the end of 2016. In this coming 2014-2015 fiscal city budget, Berke has allocated $125,000 to focus on helping veterans find permanent housing.

The federal government has pledged to provide resources to cities that introduce these types of programs.