Michael Hauck, right, and Kris Morrissette, behavioral health manager. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)
(North Dakota Monitor) – Michael Hauck served as a staff sergeant, combat engineer for the U.S. Army in Germany, Egypt and the states of Georgia and Washington. After 12 years, he called it a career and transitioned to civilian life, but he never expected to find himself homeless at 64.
Hauck received an honorable discharge in 1992. Last year, he moved to Carson, North Dakota, about 70 miles southwest of Bismarck, and was living off his monthly Social Security benefit. But after battling hundreds of dollars in overdraft fees with his bank and bouncing rent checks, he was evicted in August. And the bank closed his account, he said, which hindered his ability to open another one and access his benefits, leading him to the streets.
“Why I survived is because of the Army, because I don’t quit,” Hauck said.
Hauck is among an increasing number of veterans experiencing homelessness in North Dakota.
In 2024, statewide and community nonprofits provided services to more than 3,800 people who were experiencing homelessness. Of those, 229 were veterans, according to the North Dakota Homeless Management Information System.
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