Phoenix Becomes First City in Nation to End Homelessness Amongst Veterans

Saluting a Conservative State and a Conservative City

Arizona could be called the birthing place of the post war American conservative movement.  In the 1950’s Senator Barry Goldwater of that state became a leading national conservative voice, and his attempt at the Presidency in 1964, while unsuccessful encouraged conservative to become far more active in national politics.  This culminated with the elections of Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush.

The basis of modern conservatism is dislike, distrust and hatred of government, and policy menu that attempts to destroy, defund or de-legitimize every aspect of government.  So it is heartening, indeed gratifying to see that in the heart of conservative country the government of the state of Arizona and the city of Phoenix have ended homelessness with respect to veterans.

John Hankins, right, who repaired intercontinental ballistic missiles for the Air Force, played chess with William Godwin as Gary Workman watched. All three veterans were considered chronically homeless but are now living in Victory Place, an apartment complex in Phoenix. 
Samantha Sais for The New York Times

In 2011, by a city count, there were 222 chronically homeless veterans here, a vulnerable, hard-to-reach population of mostly middle-age men, virtually all battling some type of physical or mental ailment along with substance abuse. Federal and city officials acknowledged that was not an exact number, but it is widely regarded as the best measure of the veteran population.

Last month, the last 41 members of that group were placed in temporary housing. Shane Groen, a director at the Arizona Coalition to End Homelessness, one of the city’s partners in the program, said the goal was to have them all in permanent housing by Feb. 14.

Wow, congratulations to Phoenix.  And yes, thanks for showing that government programs can work, are needed and cannot be replaced by the private sector.