WASHINGTON - A new report is giving sobering statistics about how homeless veterans are treated in the Washington area.

The report says beds are available for only 10% of the homeless vets in Virginia, 8% have beds in Maryland and in the District, there is room is less than 2%.

From the Iraq (web | news) War with the Army's First Calvary Division to fighting a battle to find homes for fellow veterans, Chad Lego says he never imagined when he came home, he would find some 200,000 service members homeless.

"I would have imagined the V.A. is doing everything, but they're just not equipped to handle it."

Lego works for the Circle of Friends for American Veterans. They are hosting a national conference in the District to bring attention to a devastating dilemma where soldiers returning home have no where to call home.

"We could be looking at a... tsunami, if you will, of returning troops from Iraq and Afghanistan that become homeless like we did after Vietnam," said John Tong, Circle of Friends.

New studies show there are precious few facilities like one transition center in Southeast, where vets get counseling, guidance and temporary shelter. But funds to fuel the needed programs are considered meager at best.

"What we're really relying on are the voices of Americans who believe that veterans who have given so much deserve the highest level of care and really deserve to be a priority in Congress," said Peter Kurdock, Circle of Friends.

"To light up the switchboards at Congress, the Representatives, their Senators and say, 'Hey, we need to do something about this. You know, we put you in office. Lets get it going for the veterans. Let's put them back first!'"

For more about the Circle of Friends, visit http://www.vetsvision.org/

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