Homeless veterans still in search of housing

SEATTLE — They stood at attention at this Memorial Day Celebration outside the Bread of Life Mission in Seattle’s Pioneer Square neighborhood. Its purpose: to honor veterans who are members of a club few want to join.

Those, like Gregory Hite, a retired Marine, has had no home for eight long months.

"Challenging," said Hite.  "You know, a lot of stress, a lot of depression going through this (being) homeless."

Last year, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray made this pledge: "By the end of 2016, there will not be a veteran who is homeless in this city or the United States."

Hite was asked if he believes it can be done.

"No," replied Hite. "It's too many homeless people, vets out here. Too many of them. And a lot of them don't want to be helped."

"It's not going to happen," said Willie Parish. "It's not going to happen in seven months."

Parish, executive director of the Bread of Life Mission, created this celebration eight years ago.

"The needs are so great, said Parish. "People have needs. All the time people don't want to sleep in shelters, even though we have one. They'd rather sleep somewhere else, under bridges, in alley ways."

Still, Thomas Manning, an Air Force veteran living in Tent City Six in downtown Seattle, believes this is a problem Seattle can solve.

"I hate hearing things on protracted time frames," said Manning. "I think we can do it immediately because there's enough money in this city."

The mayor admits even the $40 million Seattle spends each year on homelessness isn't enough.  He says it will take everyone to solve this problem.

But there is some good news.

Hite, the retired Marine, says he finally found an apartment.

He moves in next month.

Cox Media Group