Homelessness Veterans in America
By: Jonathan Cheek
In the United States, homelessness has been a major problem for decades. Being homeless is defined by the U.S. federal legislation as a person who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. The United States currently has a homeless population of over 660,000 people. Out of that 660,000, 67,000 of those were veterans of the U.S. armed forces. There is a crisis going on for military veterans and soldiers returning from combat or deployment. Veterans are faced with many challenges transitioning from military life to civilian life when returning home from active duty. While on active duty, these men and women are exposed to high levels of trauma, stress, injuries, and mind-blowing experiences from combat. Veterans or active-duty soldiers can experience feelings of isolation, hopelessness, depression, anger, and loneliness when they return from tour. Mental health conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorder, physical injuries, and traumatic brain injury are common in soldiers returning from combat. These factors can contribute to a higher number in veteran homelessness within the United States.
There are numerous factors that contribute to the homelessness problem that our United States veterans face when returning home and reintegrating back into society. Common causes for homelessness among U.S. veterans can include disabilities like physical injury or mental illness, different types of substance abuse associated with different drugs or alcoholism, family breakdown, joblessness and poverty, lack of affordable housing, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Some demographics of homeless veterans include that 50% have serious mental illness, and 70% battle substance abuse problems. Without the help of outside resources and interventions, veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder can be impacted severely in many different aspects of life. On top of the mental health issues that occur with most veterans, substance abuse relating to excessive drug and alcohol use can rule out their ability to be accepted into shelters. Veterans are faced with additional challenges such as finding employment when their military occupation and training can’t be applied to normal civilian jobs.
The United States Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) has spent millions of dollars and decades trying to help implement programs that reduce the number of homeless veterans that are living in the streets. The VA is working to provide better healthcare options, educational benefits, low-cost housing, counseling and therapy services. In the last ten years, despite a $1 billion federal investment for preventative efforts, suicide and homelessness rates are still rising. The VA is failing at providing adequate health care and housing for the people that fight for our freedom every day. Veterans that face homelessness need support from the government for basic rights. More efforts need to be made from our federal government to help coordinate more services that provide secure and low-cost housing, essential physical healthcare, substance abuse care, and mental health counseling and therapy. Additionally, veterans need further assistance with new job assessment, training and placement. That way, they can apply and be capable of carrying out a normal job.
The most effective programs that help homeless and at-risk veterans are typically nonprofit community-based organizations. Many of these nonprofit organizations are made up of former veterans that have a passion to help their brothers and sisters in arms. There are over 2100 community based homeless veteran service providers across the United States. These programs work with local, state and federal agencies that provide emergency and supportive housing, food, health services, job training and placement assistance, legal aid and case management support for thousands of homeless veterans each year. These programs have a high success rate of getting veterans the resources they need and get them back on their feet. The Disabled Veterans National Foundation, House for Warriors, and the Tunnels to Towers Foundation are three larger nonprofit organizations that are dedicated to providing endless resources and support that help veterans.
Sources:
· https://www.bu.edu/articles/2022/why-veterans-remain-at-greater-risk-of-homelessness/
