VA’s specialized homeless programs served more than 92,000 veterans in 2009, which is highly commendable. This still leaves well over 100,000 more veterans, however, who experience homelessness annually and must seek assistance from local government agencies and community- and faith-based service organizations. In its November 2007 "Vital Mission" report, the National Alliance to End Homelessness estimated that up to about half a million veterans have characteristics that put them in danger of homelessness.
In addition to the complex set of factors influencing 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 (PTSD) and substance abuse, which are compounded by a lack of family and social support networks.
By National Coalition for Homeless Veterans
Further Reading:
A National Tragedy Each night in the United States, approximately 107,000 veterans sleep on the streets because they have no place to call "home." They are this nation’s forgotten heroes – the men and women who once proudly served in a military uniform. Only eight percent of the U.S. population have served in the armed forces, yet almost one-fifth of the homeless population are veterans. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) estimates that about 214,000 veterans will experience homelessness at some point this year. Almost five percent of this population are homeless women veterans, and this proportion will likely increase as currently 15 percent of all U.S. troops are women. There are many factors that contribute to the disproportionately large percentage of veterans who suffer from homelessness. Most of these veterans struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse issues or other psychosocial problems. These factors are often related to their military service or difficulty transitioning to civilian life. Most homeless veterans require – as much as affordable housing – physical and mental health care, employment training and placement assistance, and other supportive services. According to the Department’s own estimates, VA programs will reach slightly more than 40 percent of the homeless veterans who need assistance.