Philadelphia has effectively ended homelessness for the city's military veterans, answering a challenge issued last year by first lady Michelle Obama.
Mayor Michael Nutter announced the milestone on Thursday with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro. A letter to the city sent earlier this week from a federal homeless agency confirmed Philadelphia has "ended veteran homelessness" by "ensuring veterans have access to housing and services" through a network of resources - providing housing for nearly 1,400 vets.
Obama called for mayors across the country to tackle veteran homelessness by the end of 2015. She and Jill Biden praised the city's success in an op-ed published this week in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
The announcement comes as Nutter prepares to leave office next month.
Youth homelessness remains a major issue in the city with hundreds of young people lacking a secure place to call home. An in-depth NBC10 Digital Exclusive investigation found a lack of services for teens and those in their early 20s.
Advocates hope city and federal officals will take an approach similar to their veteran homeless plan to help these young people.
