Hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of military veterans are homeless, according to the preliminary results of an important new study from researchers at the University of Western Ontario. Researchers Susan Ray and Cheryl Forchuk have extensive background in housing, homelessness and mental health issues. While the image of homeless military veterans is common on US streets, this is the first major study of homelessness among Canadian vets. The researshers hope to have their project complete by early spring. Among the preliminary findings, many of the vets report that they experience homelessness several years after their discharge from the military, often after a downward spiral of low wage jobs and battles with the government for compensation. The vets also report a high level of trauma and mental health issues. Last fall, the federal government launched a Toronto pilot project called Leave the Streets Behind to assist homeless vets.