In a heartwarming story of resilience and support, a 68-year-old Vietnam War-era Army veteran named Harold Tilson Jr. has found a new lease on life after experiencing homelessness. Tilson, like many other veterans, was left without a home earlier this year. However, his life took a positive turn when he found transitional housing provided by the nonprofit Veterans Empowerment Organization (VEO) in Atlanta.

Tilson expressed his gratitude for the assistance he received, stating, "If you're homeless and you need help, you couldn't ask for a better place to go because they take care of just about everything." VEO's mission is to provide emergency and permanent housing for homeless military veterans, and they have been successful in their efforts. The number of homeless veterans has decreased by 11% since January 2020 and 55% over the past 13 years, according to a government count.

The success in addressing veteran homelessness can be attributed to the collaborative efforts of government agencies, nonprofits, and corporate foundations. The Obama administration's prioritization of housing veterans, along with the recent $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package, has significantly boosted the Department of Veteran Affairs' homeless programs and expanded rental aid. The VA has also granted $1 billion in grants to community nonprofits, marking the largest amount ever allocated for tackling veteran homelessness.

One of the key partners in this effort is The Home Depot Foundation, which has donated over $500 million to veterans causes since 2011. The foundation has helped more than 50,000 homeless veterans nationwide through its partnership with nonprofits like VEO. Recently, 20 members of “Team Depot” volunteered their time to build a garden with a water feature at the VEO campus in honor of Veterans Day. This commitment to service and philanthropy has made a significant impact on the lives of veterans.

Despite the progress made, there are still over 33,000 homeless veterans in the United States, including nearly 3,500 in the Los Angeles area alone. Kathryn Monet, CEO of the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, emphasized the need for affordable housing as a crucial step in addressing the issue. VEO not only provides housing but also offers classes on financial literacy, securing VA benefits, and employment assistance to help veterans achieve independence.

Harold Tilson Jr.'s journey is a testament to the transformative power of support and community. As he continues to rebuild his life, he is optimistic about moving into his own place with the help of VEO and another local nonprofit. Tilson's friends from church are overjoyed by the help he has received, but he believes that nobody can be happier than him.

The fight against veteran homelessness is ongoing, and it requires continued dedication and action. Navy veteran Malcolm Harvey III, who was once homeless himself, stressed the importance of fulfilling the promise made to veterans who have served their country. "We owe them a debt of gratitude. But we owe them more than that: We owe them action," he said.

For veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans is available for assistance at 877-424-3838.

Note: Associated Press Writer Michael Casey in Boston contributed to this report.