About three out of every 100 homeless Canadians are former soldiers.

According to a just released study by Employment and Social Development Canada, an estimated 2,250 veterans use shelters on a regular basis.

That represents about 2.7% of the total homeless population.

The numbers come from a database that tracks 60 emergency shelters across Canada.

But the authors caution the data’s far from complete.

The study found the average age of homeless vets is 52 compared with 37 in the general population and many ex-soldiers cite alcoholism, drug addiction and mental health issues as reasons for their situation.

Meanwhile, Canada’s top military commander, General Jonathan Vance, says it’s shocking there would be homelessness among ex-soldiers and says there’ll be a determined effort to identify those who need help before they fall through the cracks.