December 7, 2020 3:30 a.m.

Staff with the Roseburg VA is asking for help from the community as they seek to connect with homeless veterans.

Homeless Program Coordinator Kevin Wagner said the weather is changing and it can become a dangerous, even life-threatening situation for veterans who are homeless, or chronically under-housed during the holiday season. Wagner said he wants to find as many eligible veterans as possible and get them into safe, secure, warm temporary housing.

Around 1,300 men and women veterans are homeless on any given night in the state of Oregon, according to some estimates. Wagner said most of those veterans might be eligible for assistance and health care, but the problem is “getting them in the door”.

The Roseburg VA Homeless Veterans Program is available to assist at 440-1000 extension 40542.