Who
are homeless veterans?
The U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) says the nation's homeless
veterans are mostly males (4 % are females). The vast majority are single, most come from poor, disadvantaged communities,
45% suffer from mental illness, and half have substance abuse problems. America’s homeless veterans have served in World
War II, Korean War, Cold War, Vietnam War, Grenada, Panama, Lebanon, Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan), Operation Iraqi
Freedom, or the military’s anti-drug cultivation efforts in South America. Forty-seven percent of homeless veterans
served during the Vietnam Era. More than 67% served our country for at least three years and 33% were stationed in a war zone.
How many
homeless veterans are there?
Although accurate numbers are impossible to come by -- no one keeps national
records on homeless veterans -- the VA estimates that nearly 200,000 veterans are homeless on any given night. And nearly
400,000 experience homelessness over the course of a year.
Conservatively, one out of every three homeless men who is sleeping in a doorway, alley or box in our cities and rural
communities has put on a uniform and served this country. According to the National Survey of Homeless Assistance Providers
and Clients (U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness and the Urban Institute, 1999), veterans account for 23% of all homeless
people in America.
Why are veterans homeless?
In addition to the complex set of factors affecting
all homelessness -- extreme shortage of affordable housing, livable income, and access to health care -- a large number of displaced and at-risk veterans live with lingering effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
and substance abuse, compounded by a lack of family and social support networks. A top priority is secure,
safe, clean housing that offers a supportive environment which is free of drugs and alcohol.
Doesn’t the
Department of Veterans Affairs take care of homeless veterans?
To a certain degree, yes. According
to the VA, in the years since it "began responding to the special needs of homeless veterans, its homeless treatment
and assistance network has developed into the nation’s largest provider of homeless services, serving more than 100,000
veterans annually."
With an
estimated 400,000 veterans homeless at some time during the year, the VA reaches 25% of those in need ... leaving 300,000
veterans who must seek assistance from local government agencies and service organizations in their communities.
Since 1987, VA’s programs for homeless veterans have emphasized collaboration
with community service providers to help expand services to more veterans in crisis. This partnership is credited with reducing
the number of homeless veterans on any given day by nearly 25% over the last six years. For more information about VA homeless
veteran programs, go to www.va.gov/homeless/.
What services do veterans need?
Veterans
need a coordinated effort that provides secure housing and nutritional meals; essential physical health care, substance abuse
aftercare and mental health counseling; and personal development and empowerment. Veterans also need job assessment, training
and placement assistance.
NCHV strongly believes that all programs
to assist homeless veterans must focus on helping veterans reach the point where they can obtain and sustain employment.
What
seems to work best?
The most effective programs for homeless and at-risk veterans are community-based, nonprofit, "veterans helping
veterans" groups. Programs that seem to work best feature transitional housing with the camaraderie of living in structured,
substance-free environments with fellow veterans who are succeeding at bettering themselves. Because government money for
homeless veterans is currently limited and serves only one in 10 of those in need, it is critical that community groups reach
out to help provide the support, resources and opportunities most Americans take for granted: housing, employment and health
care.
There are about 250 community-based veteran organizations across the country that have demonstrated impressive success
reaching homeless veterans. These groups are most successful when they work in collaboration with federal, state and local
government agencies, other homeless providers, and veteran service organizations. Veterans who participate in these programs
have a higher chance of becoming tax-paying, productive citizens again.
National Coalition
for Homeless Veterans. http://www.nchv.org/background.cfm
