RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia has entered into a national agreement aimed at ending veteran homelessness by the end of 2015.

Virginia Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs John Harvey made the announcement Monday at a statewide summit in Richmond.

The agreement known as the Mayor’s Challenge is an initiative of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Officials say Virginia saw veteran homelessness fall 14 percent to 617 veterans last year.

McAuliffe says the ambitious agreement to end veteran homelessness by the end of 2015 will require cooperation and leadership at all levels.

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