After serving their country, the least veterans deserve is a place to live and help transitioning back to civilian life. Yet 1 in 4 homeless people in this country are veterans. Imagine an alternative, a place where at least 400 homeless veterans can get education, training, and a shelter focused on meeting their needs. Knoxville, Iowa could make that a reality with the creation of National Veterans Recovery Center.

The proposed location is a former veterans' hospital that boasts 163 acres and 39 buildings, plenty of space for on-site training and treatment, and possibly enough space to offer more beds after the center establishes itself. Each veteran would be able to stay for up to two years. Unfortunately, the veterans' organization isn't the only group with an eye on leasing the property. An investor group and a college are also interested in securing the government's long-term lease. Let's make sure the National Veterans Recovery Center finds a home and that homeless veterans get the center they deserve.