WORCESTER, Mass. - Homelessness among veterans continues to be a problem in Massachusetts, but $2.5 million in federal funding will soon help Veterans Inc. revamp its shelter and transitional housing.

Veterans in Massachusetts and across the nation face a number of challenges upon their return to civilian life, from mental health disorders and other health issues to a lack of job training.

Ray Carville, public affairs manager for Veterans Inc., said it’s why the organization’s shelter is so important.

“They oftentimes have post-traumatic stress disorder, oftentimes with co-occurring substance use disorder, perhaps they're unemployed or underemployed, or they lack the training that they need to meet the requirements of today's job market in a fast-paced environment like Massachusetts,” Carville said. “When they enter into our homelessness services program, they are able to have a safe and comfortable place.”

The housing program at Veterans Inc. comes with a full range of support services, including meals, employment training programs and mental health counseling.

“We put people in a situation where they can excel, where they feel like they are comfortable enough to begin to address some of these systemic difficulties that they face every day,” Carville said. “Whether that's employment training, housing security, supportive services, getting their VA benefits, addressing their behavioral health needs, they're able to do that in a safe and comfortable place because of this funding.”

“Earlier this month, Gov. Maura Healey announced a $20 million campaign to end veteran homelessness in Massachusetts, touted as the largest targeted investment in the state’s history to address the issue.

It will focus on supporting veteran housing and mental health services. The goal is to make veteran homelessness a level of ‘functional zero’ - a future where it’s rare, brief and non-recurring.

“As a professional in this field and as a veteran, Massachusetts continues to and will be the greatest state in the nation in which to be a veteran,” Carville said. “These problems persist. There's still a shortage of housing stock. There's still a shortage of behavioral health counselors. But our organization and organizations like us are out there every day trying to find out how we can address today's problem, tomorrow's problem, the problems that are there a mile down the road.”