Homeless Vets

Over the past few months, I have been astounded by how many Vets we have had come through out clinic doors.  While the VA does take care of many men and women who have served, there is still a large number that are going underserved for a variety of reasons.  There are an estimated 107,000 vets staying on the streets on any given night! 

Only eight percent of the general population can claim veteran status, but nearly one-fifth of the homeless population are veterans.

I don't know about you, but to me that is A STAGGERING NUMBER!  Sadly, veterans are more likely to remain homeless compared to their non-veteran counterparts. 

• Veterans reported being homeless an average of 5.7 years, compared with 3.9 years reported by non-veterans.
• Among the 12,500 people who said they had been homeless for more than two years, veterans averaged nine years, compared with 7.3 years for non-veterans.
• Of those, 3 out of 4 veterans reported a substance abuse habit, and nearly two-thirds reported a serious physical health condition.
• Homeless veterans were 11% more likely than non-veterans to suffer from a life-threatening condition, including liver or kidney disease, or frequent frostbite.
• A federal report found that veterans under 30 were twice as likely to become homeless as non-veterans of the same age.

General Facts from the most recent report from the U.S. Interagency Council on the Homeless:

•     23% of the homeless population are veterans
•     33% of the male homeless population are veterans
•     47% served Vietnam-era
•     17% served post-Vietnam
•     15% served pre-Vietnam
•     67% served three or more years
•     33% were stationed in war zone
•     25% have used VA homeless services
•     85% completed high school/GED, compared to 56% of non-veterans
•     89% received an honorable discharge
•     79% reside in central cities
•     16% reside in suburban areas
•     5% reside in rural areas
•     76% experience alcohol, drug or mental health problems
•     46% are white males, compared to 34% of non-veterans
•     46% are age 45 or older, compared to 20% non-veterans