(AP) — Pledges by President Barack Obama and a national nonprofit organization to end homelessness among veterans did not meet their goal, but advocates see bright spots and remain encouraged that the issue is prominent on the radar.

Homelessness among veterans has been effectively ended in two states, Virginia and Connecticut, and in 31 communities, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. But many veterans still sleep on the streets elsewhere in the country.

Still, as Obama's term ends, advocates call the national push a success because many veterans did get homes, and the ambitious goal created urgency. About two dozen nonprofits, government officials and homeless veterans in 17 states and Washington spoke with The Associated Press about the effectiveness of the effort and the challenges they faced.