VA, Goodwill helping Lowcountry homeless vets

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Hundreds of homeless people in the Charleston area, a good number of them veterans, are getting a hand this week during one of the largest events for vets of its kind in the nation.

The 12th annual Stand Down Against Homelessness got under way Thursday in North Charleston. An estimated 3,000 people are expected to be helped during the two-day event, about 35 percent of them veterans.

Veterans Affairs officials say that there are an estimated 154,000 homeless vets nationwide.

The homeless who come to the event are getting everything from medical and dental screenings to job assistance, sleeping bags and toiletries.

Last year’s Stand Down Against Homelessness helped about 2,000 people. But the number is expected to be up this year because of continued troubles in the economy.