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Homeless Veterans Benefits -
Homelessness in America is one of those things that
people have been fighting against for years. Nearly one-third of
the adult homeless population in the country, served in the Armed
Services at some point in their life. This means that nearly
250,000 veterans (both male and female) are living on the streets or in
shelters. Countless others are considered to be nearly homeless
because they live in poverty in cheap hotels or in overcrowded
substandard housing. The
largest population of homeless veterans came from the Vietnam War era,
and an increasing number are from the Desert Storm era. Nearly
all homeless veterans are male (97%), most are single, and come from
poor, disadvantaged backgrounds. About 45% of homeless veterans
suffer from a mental illness, and just over 70% suffer from alcohol or
drug abuse problems. Roughly 56% are African American or Hispanic.
The Department of Veterans Affairs has started
several programs since 1987, designed to help these homeless veterans
become self-sufficient and
independent once again. The VA is the only Federal Agency
that provides hands-on assistance to homeless people, and provides the
most integrated network of homeless treatment and assistance services
in the country. The programs the VA has started include:
aggressive outreach to those veterans living on streets and in shelters
who otherwise would not seek assistance; clinical assessment and
referral to needed medical treatment for physical and psychiatric
disorders, including substance abuse; long-term sheltered transitional
assistance, case management, and rehabilitation; employment assistance
and linkage with available income supports; and supported permanent
housing.
We are not associated with the Department of Veterans Affairs or any governmental agency.
VA Home
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