Who Are America’s Homeless Veterans?
Latest guesses demonstrate that more than 136,000 homeless U.S. military veterans spent at minimum one night in homeless shelters sometime during 2009; on any given night, over 75,000 veterans sleep in homeless shelters or in the streets. Alternative sources estimate higher numbers; achieving an exact count of a transient population is quite a challenge to those researching the subject. These veterans represent between 15 and thirty percent of America’s homeless population. The striking issue with those numbers is that the veteran population comprise only about 1/10th of the U.S. population. Statistically, veterans are significantly much more likely than civilians to end up homeless.
Who are America’s homeless veterans?
Minorities have historically been demographically over-represented in the military and, sadly, among the homeless population too. The excessive numbers of minorities among homeless veterans is likely indicative of wider socioeconomic issues which must always be addressed, rather than issues of racial disparity in the veteran community.
Though female veterans make up a relatively tiny share of the homeless population, they’re also over-represented. While only about 1 male veteran in a hundred does not have a home, about one female veteran in 50 is homeless. Female veterans also appear two to four times more likely than civilian females to become homeless. Unique challenges faced by female veterans following their military service must be identified and addressed; the percentage of women serving in the U.S. Military is increasing steadily, so that the percentage of female veterans among the homeless is likely to increase too.
Virtually nine in 10 homeless veterans left their military service with an honorable discharge, and just about that many report having a high school diploma or GED, compared with just over half the civilian homeless population.
That higher education rate is common amongst veterans in general. As a result, most veterans fare comparatively well financially; while about ten % of the U.S. population lives below the poverty line, only about five percent of veterans live in poverty. Problematically, impoverished veterans seem much more likely than impoverished civilians to fall into homelessness. Of adults living in poverty, about 5 percent become homeless at some particular point; poor veterans become homeless at about double that rate.
Why are poor veterans so much more vulnerable to homelessness than poor civilians?
The latest info implies that at least part of the answer may be linked to social isolation. 96 % of homeless veterans served at reporting homeless shelters arrived alone; only a small percentage arrived with members of their family. By contrast, about 20 percent of the general homeless population typically arrives at shelters with at least one member of the family. It’s actually possible that that lack of social support networks among impoverished veterans could be related to the same factors as the disproportionately high divorce rate among military members. The resulting lack of social and family connections among this portion of the veteran population may make them more exposed to homelessness once they become poor.
Along with this social isolation, many homeless veterans battle with post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety and/or other mental health issues linked with their experiences in combat and their problems since. Too often, these issues or the stress of being poor or homelessness can end up in drug use; the HUD/VA survey found increased rates of alcohol abuse among homeless veterans than among the rest of the homeless population.
What can be done to help homeless veterans?
Improved access to counseling and other treatment for psychological issues, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and drug use, is one of the most urgent needs of homeless veterans. Other imperative needs include medical care, safe and stable housing, and employment help. It is important to concentrate on empowerment rather than handouts; recent info shows that veterans fare better and are more likely to participate in programs that help them feel involved, capable, and successful rather than helpless.
Defensive efforts are also critical. Current estimates place between 500,000 and one and 1/2 million vets below the poverty line, which places them in danger for homelessness. There is an urgent need for programs and funding to identify and support these veterans before they become homeless. The economic vulnerability of poor veterans also underscores the need to avoid cutting veterans’ benefits, as these benefits could be all that stops an “at-risk ” vet from becoming a homeless vet.
The predicament of homeless vets is receiving serious high-level attention. The Government has identified ending homelessness among veterans within 5 years as a “key priority”. Increased policy emphasis on helping homeless
vets, and recent partnership between the Dept of Veterans Affairs and community associations, have made progress recently, but even with recent expansions, the VA’s programs and funding remain limited. In all, the VA’s variety of programs for homeless veterans reached over 90,000 people in 2009, but the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans estimates that over 100,000 more weren’t served by VA programs, making local government and non-profit organizations the best or only resource for many homeless veterans.
Research implies that community programs can also be the most effective approach to helping homeless veterans, particularly if programs involve other veterans as sources of support, encouragement, friendship, and guidance. These programs draw from the strengths of military culture- close bonds, teamwork, leadership, and individual strength mixed with mutual support.
First, learn about the issues facing homeless veterans in general, and their precise needs in your area, so that you can be a knowledgeable advocate and make sure that your talents are applied in the most handy way. Then, find organizations in your neighborhood that are helping homeless veterans. Volunteer with one of these organizations if you can; your talents, time, and compassion can contribute! You can also contact your elected representatives to help continued support of programs for homeless veterans and preservation of veterans ‘ benefits.
Jon Werz has has served U.S. Military bases around the globe for 15 years. He’s been providing military families with the support they seriously need, and is thought of as an integral source for the whole military family.
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