BY MEGHAN V. MALLOY

Staff Writer

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is working to end homelessness for veterans nationally in the next five years.

Veterans Affairs officials in Maine are hopeful about it -- though without accurate numbers, they say eliminating homelessness will be difficult.

"Is it achievable (in five years)? Well, we're going to do our best on it," Jim Doherty, a spokesman for Togus, said. "Some people choose to live in a homeless condition, so what we can do is work with them and try to help break that cycle."

U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki unveiled his plan last week.

The plan's success depends on the federal government, business and private sectors joining forces, Shinseki said in a news release. Shinseki's plan specifically outlines preventive measures for veterans re-entering society after jail or prison and for supportive services for disadvantaged veterans, as well as increased affordable housing and health care. On any given night in Maine, there are about 400 veterans who are considered homeless, though those figures are likely underreported, Doherty said.

"It's underreported because it's self-reported," he said. "Once a year, (the) Maine State Housing (Authority) asks all shelters to do inventory of everyone in the shelters. Not every veteran in Maine who is homeless is in a shelter that particular night, and not every veteran identifies themselves as such."

Half of all homeless veterans -- an estimated 131,000 nationwide --are alcoholics or substance abusers and 45 percent have a mental illness, according to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans based in Washington, D.C.

It is not unusual for homeless populations, regardless of military service, to suffer from mental illness or substance abuse, sometimes both. Post-traumatic stress disorder from serving can often serve as the catalyst.

"Those are both major facilitating factors (to homelessness)," Doherty said. "Plus, when the economy isn't robust, or when there are problems within a family, that can create more problems in a person's life."

Togus offers an annual event to homeless veterans called Homeless Stand-Down. Veterans are welcome to come Togus for a meal and haircut, and can talk to Togus officials about housing, education and employment benefits.

Veteran homelessness is being tackled not only by Togus, but also by Maine nonprofits such as Community Housing of Maine.

In early October, four veterans were given apartments in a refurbished colonial home in Augusta's west side. The apartments were available because of a collaborative project between Community Housing of Maine, the Department of Veterans Affairs and Kennebec Behavioral Health and Motivational Services.

Shinseki said the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs intends to spend $3.2 billion in 2010 to stop and prevent future veteran homelessness.

Meghan V. Malloy -- 623-3811, ext. 431

mmalloy@centralmaine.com