Veterans make up 12% of all homeless adults in the U.S.

2014-08-06T10:49:46-04:00

Although homelessness among veterans has decreases significantly in recent years, veterans still make up a disproportionate percentage of homeless adults in the United States. We've broken down where the estimated 57,849 homeless veterans live by state to shed some light on where the problem is most persistent.

What veterans assistance programs have you seen be successful in your area?

Would improved transition programs help maintain the downward trend in veteran homelessness?

Response by CPT Dave Shephard made Aug 6 at 2014 2:30 PM

2014-08-06T14:30:15-04:00

I would be very interested to see what experts point to as the reason that Veteran's are two times more likely to be chronically homeless? Veteran's make up approximately 6.6% of the population but account for 12% of the homeless population - that alone should be telling.

Great graphic overall!

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Aug 6 at 2014 2:36 PM

2014-08-06T14:36:26-04:00

I think that some veterans, for various reasons, really fall off the radar and are afraid to ask for help. I think staying connected with those that you served with can be the best way of avoiding situations like this. Everyone has different experiences in the military. Some never want to talk about serving and some love sharing and going to veteran and military gatherings. This sounds like a commercial, but the more we talk to each other, the more we can open up and know when someone needs help or even ask for help ourselves.

Response by CPL Charles Gale made Aug 6 at 2014 3:48 PM

2014-08-06T15:48:51-04:00

Being Homeless is a cause. To remedy this issue local governments need to team up with the Department of Veteran Affairs and find the outlined reason these Veterans are ending up homeless. The VA has numerous resources for Veterans these days. In my opinion we should start with with an outreach group to help those Veterans with understanding all their benefits and whom to contact to request or apply for those benefits..

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2014 6:36 PM

2014-08-06T18:36:44-04:00

One caveat I'll add to this (and I have not read the study)... but previous studies looking into this have only ASKED if they're vets. We all know that 99% of homeless panhandlers claim to be vets. Again, haven't read this particular study, but I have seen "studies" that have asked but never followed up to verify actual vet status so the results could be very off.

Response by SPC Bryant Holmes made Nov 25 at 2014 7:33 PM

2014-11-25T19:33:40-05:00

I think while we are serving, we are looked at as heros. The transition to civilian is a tough one. This transition does not make you feel like a hero. Especially the pursuit for employment. I think more government dollars need to go to not only Veteran owned business, but Veteran operated business. Most Veteran owned business employ less than 20% Veterans. 10% of government contracts go to Veteran Owned Business. This amount is unacceptable. I believe because of our service, a minimum of 60% of the government contracts should go to Veterans. Not just Veteran owned business but Veteran operated business. I think if this was the case, it would help decrease the homeless rate. We don't want a handout nor do we want a $10 broom.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2015 6:42 PM

2015-03-19T18:42:09-04:00

I think that as soldiers are coming up on their ETS date while they go through the normal things they should have to sign up for a job fair type day. That day should be aimed at filling out applications and handing out resumes, so that the soldier would not have much of a gap between service and civilian life. I also think that there should be buildings and places for veterans to meet and have veteran's preference for job postings.

Response by CAPT Stu Merrill made Mar 20 at 2015 2:54 PM

2015-03-20T14:54:44-04:00

If veterans make up 8% of the US adult population, what percentage of US homeless adults should we expect to be homeless? Of course, we've like for no US adults to be homeless, but assuming that some percentage of US adults will be homeless what percentage should be made up of military veterans? 0%, a percentage equal to our representation in society (8%), or some other amount?

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Mar 20 at 2015 8:23 PM

2015-03-20T20:23:36-04:00

I understand what you want is concepts to solve a problem that most of us are willing to admit exists, even though the bulk of the debate so far seems to be on whether it is as bad as the statistics say or if they are overinflated to make it seem worse than it is.

As much as we want to look at this problem from a single person perspective, it takes a community to make a dent in this problem. Many of these vets are in this situation because they fall into patterns that create a downward spiral in their life. Lose a job, get divorced, lose their house, miss an insurance payment or an alcohol related incident that gets a license suspended. The homelessness of anyone is usually a symptom, or the end result of an entirely different problem.

From a leadership perspective on the motivations of man, my usual fall back is Maslow's Hierarchy. Many of these Veterans are existing in a hand to mouth lifestyle where they are unable to count on a meal from one day to the next, or a bed to sleep in. By pulling together community resources and building stairs that these vets can use to climb out of their situations, you can solve the problem.

Provide a safe place to sleep, let them know that food is available, create a community for them to belong to, help them to develop friends with people who's values are solid. Give them the tools to maintain this for themselves.

Response by SGT Frank Leonardo made Mar 21 at 2015 2:25 AM

2015-03-21T02:25:26-04:00

how about our government doing their job and keeping the USA vets off the streets and at least roofed and part of the USA but I forgot I work and submit to dumb stuff they come up with for instance like where I live in Ohio must have VA assistance to be considered, I hate to say but the VA does not take the wounded inside and out for the what it should and I try my best between my job and helping those who need it the most takes every minute of what I can, Trust me I was in need of help back in the day of help not to kill my self, any who reads this and can help a VET of any thing who wants to end it all it is not worth it life is to short give a fellow VET help! Our government is a bunch of war pigs personally to me want nothing more to displace you me and bring in other for our expence

Response by SPC Patrick Gearardo made Mar 23 at 2015 6:29 AM

2015-03-23T06:29:27-04:00

Number 1, put more effort into helping our Veterans than helping illegals.
2. Make it easier for our Vets to receive services and medications.
3. NO ONE in the Veteran administration is allowed to work there UNLESS they served!
4. Make more funds available for organizations who help our Veterans.
5. Get a C-n-C who really does care about our soldiers and their problems.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Jan 27 at 2016 7:44 PM

2016-01-27T19:44:32-05:00

A search of the Austin City website produced a good resource for homeless including veterans There are more resources out there than one might think, including the Mayors' Challenge to provide housing for all homeless vets which has identified housing for all known homeless vets in Austin. The city has an internal program to support vets lucky enough to get hired on by the city. There are also a number of national organizations including the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. This is the COA's resource guide for all homeless.
https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/WELCOME_HOME.pdf

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2017 5:56 PM

2017-07-06T17:56:47-04:00

http://www.paraglideonline.net/news/20170608/soldier-builds-homes-for-homeless-veterans
Were the soldiers out of bragg assiting with this situation

Soldier builds homes for homeless veterans

It isn’t just a house. The structure under construction on Gavins Street in Fayetteville also represents unity and the building of community,