The rising number of homeless veterans in America is a growing concern. Veterans, whether they saw combat or not, should never be subjected to the kind of poverty where they end up living on the street.
Number of Homeless Veterans on the Rise
A large number of homeless veterans are single males; however, there have been a growing number of homeless female veterans since 2006. Today, over 50 percent of all homeless veterans are disabled, suffering from mental illness, substance abuse problems, or both mental illness and substance abuse.
How many veterans are homeless in America today? The Department of Veteran Affairs in 2010 estimated there were around 76,000 homeless veterans sleeping on the streets in any given city in America. Today, it is estimated that the number is closer to 50,000.
When I see a homeless veteran, I am moved to do something about it. Vets have put their lives on the line for me and you, and they deserve every opportunity to be a part of the rich fabric of the American society they fought to serve and preserve.
Why Are Veterans Homeless?
Why are veterans so likely to become homeless? Veterans may be more likely to become homeless because many, after serving in the military, and especially those disabled veterans, lose their support networks which are comprised of family and friends who are usually there to provide a safe haven for us when we find ourselves down on our luck. Statistics show that veterans are more likely than not to live alone, and have lower marriage and higher divorce rates than non-veterans.
Many veterans suffering from PTSD become ostracized from the support networks they previously knew, due to the mental challenges they experience with the disease. Many homeless veterans lose their coping mechanisms and withdraw from interaction with their family and friends, and society as a whole. Without a social support system that they can rely upon, poverty, despair and homelessness most likely is the progressive downturn that they ultimately suffer.
Hope for Veterans
But, there is hope. There are programs available to help veterans with this ever growing problem. However, since many of the veterans have no social support system in place, many of the veterans that could benefit from these programs are not aware of the help available to them. So it appears that there are plenty of programs out there to assist homeless veterans, but the problem lies in the communication. How do we get the word out there?
Local communities and neighborhoods that have witnessed the increase in homelessness for veterans must get involved. If there is no outreach center dedicated for this purpose, then one should be created in your neighborhood as soon as possible. Make housing the homeless veterans a priority in your community.
Further, it is my belief that one of the best ways to fight homelessness is for the VA to award more claims for service-connected disabilities. If a vet is homeless, and has met the criteria for service-connection, and a rating, then an expeditious award of VA disability benefits is in order.
There is now collaboration between the VA and local community services providers to assist in expanding the much needed services to more homeless veterans. One such service provider is “Green Doors” located in Central Texas, founded by a former homeless person, who saw the need because she lived it personally. For more information about VA homeless veteran programs, go to www.va.gov/homeless.
How a Veterans’ Disability Attorney Can Help
If you are a disabled veteran or servicemember needing assistance in understanding what disability benefits you are entitled to, contact J. Robert Surface Attorney at Law. Mr. Surface is an experienced veterans’ disability attorney in Greenville who will help you cut through the bureaucratic red tape to ensure that you receive all of your veteran benefits.
