homeless veterans

History shows us that at the conclusion of each war there are numbers of our nations veterans who have become homeless and displaced. It is difficult to fully account for the actual number of homeless veterans.  Many sleep in cars, under bridges, and in back alleys seeking shelter from the elements.  We have all seen them … sitting on corners  looking for hand-outs.  Some scrounge through dumpsters looking for their next meal.  Veterans become homeless for a variety of reasons … shortage of affordable housing; access to adequate health care; shortage of  jobs; drug and alcohol abuse problems; mental and physical illnesses; deficient social support; lack of family support; combat related mental and physical illness now known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  In the last few years veterans returning from Operation Iraq Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) have been seeking assistance for homelessness.  Reports indicate that the number of these homeless veterans is expected to increase.  Extended deployments; repeat deployments; increased unemployment; the economic slump and lack of affordable housing all add up to increased homelessness.  The Department of Veteran Affairs reports that it serves approximately 100,000 homeless veterans each year.  Unfortunately, statistics indicate that there are well over 200,000 homeless veterans.  They are trying to do their part but assistance is needed.  Since 1987 the Department has stressed collaboration with community service providers.  Top priorities include: safe and secure housing; supportive environments free of alcohol and drugs; adequate health care (including mental health counseling); nutritional meals; and substance abuse counseling, to name a few.  Veterans also need assistance in securing meaningful (not menial) jobs, job counseling; training and placement.  The most effective programs for homeless veterans, according to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, are community based, non-profit, “veterans helping veterans” groups.  They believe as we do that these groups are most successful when they work in collaboration with government agencies; Federal, State and/or local and veteran service organizations and that “veterans who participate in these programs have a higher chance of becoming tax-paying, productive citizens again.”  Soldiers returning from Iraq & Afghanistan are finding it difficult, if not nearly impossible, to get the veterans’ disability payments they are entitled to through the VA.  There are approximately 600,000 backlogged disability claims and the average waiting period for processing is 6 months.  Appeals for denied claims take an average of 2 years.  These same soldiers are expected to make 400,000 new disability claims by year end.  American Veterans Foundation is not affiliated with  any other organization or government agency.  We do not receive any funding from any State, County or Municipal government agency.  We are supported solely by the community and concerned citizens such as yourself.  Thank you for taking the time to read our information and we hope you will honor the pledge you have so graciously made .

“And so we're going to be initiating a range of programs, as well, to deal with homelessness. One area in particular I want to focus on is the issue of veterans. The rate of homelessness among veterans is much, much higher than for non-veteran populations”.

“And so we've got -- a number of the increases that we're looking for in our budget on veterans funding directly addresses the issue of homeless veterans. That, I think, can provide some real help”.