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The rising concern of veteran homelessness in America has prompted U.S. President Barack Obama’s administration to set up the ambitious goal of ending veteran homelessness by 2015.
Unfortunately, even with greater focus on the problem, an important segment of the veteran population is getting left behind.
According to data from the Department of Veterans Affairs, the number of homeless veteran women has risen from 1,380 in 2006 to 3,328 in 2010. These figures have nearly doubled since 1990, growing from 4 percent then to 8 percent today.
The Government Accountability Office suggests that the VA collect more detailed data on homeless female veterans in an effort to improve transitional housing while government homes can be supplied.
The GAO believes female vets may be more likely to be homeless than men. Post-traumatic stress disorder and Major Depressive Disorder can often manifest in women as a result of sexual trauma experienced in the military. Women are more likely to be sexually assaulted by a fellow service member than killed in combat. They believe being a single mother can also offer further challenges when readjusting to civilian life, increasing the need to provide a safe and secure environment.
The VA and the GAO are still researching the unique challenges female veterans face and the reasons they become homeless. In the meantime, the VA is being proactive in approaching the issue, working to get grants approved for permanent housing for those in outreach programs.
These programs not only offer a place to live, they often provide job placement services, support groups, money management skills and other personal growth skills. Veterans generally stay at these living centers until they find an apartment or receive a voucher for government housing.
It is estimated that more than 75,000 veterans were found to be homeless on any given night in January of 2009. More than half of them were staying in homeless shelters or transitional living facilities, while the remaining 43 percent were sleeping on the street. According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the VA, 136,334 veterans stayed at a homeless shelter or transitional facility at least one night that same year.
That figure means that a staggering one of every 168 American veterans experienced homelessness during that 12-month period.
If you or anyone you know would like to help a veteran in need, please contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838).
Photo thanks to surfbeaver under creative commons license on Flickr.
35 Comments
i am awoman vet. and I have lived in a tent for the last 14 years. I have not one time in all those years have I ever had anyone from the v.a. ask me if I wanted to get off the streets.
I cannot believe this is happening to our vets. If Mrs. Obama is so hooked on helping the vets she better get her butt in gear and do something to help the people who live on the streets and not just the families she so calls help. to me this is unspeakable . I am also a woman vet and i cant believe we have no place for the homeless.
She isn’t hooked on vets she is on military families.. the actual servicemembers get left behind
what state are you living in,and why don’t they help you? i’m a 100% service connected usmc 68-70 viet.era wuldlike to help any homeless vet! mschaefer182@gmail.com
that is because over half the people that work in veterans offices or veterans homes never were not in the military but yet they claim they know our needs for example i was in a veterans home here in minnesota the front office was was run by non vets i asked a question about my benefits i was gave the run around go talk to this person then this person by time i was done talking tothem it was 5 total in about hr and half i never got a staight answer i finally moved from the thanks to my veterans service officer i go the answer i needed and he helped with it i took paper work to asocail worker at vets home sat on her desk 3 weeks it never got done had to take it a different person to get done in my opinion those at thevets home i was at just wanted a paycheck to myknowledge there is now a investagation going by department of veterans affairs and most is focus on front office and the socail workers tis about time the placegets fixed itislong over due
rick
Hers an idea for ya. Hire vets first to serve vets. How come no one has come up with that idea. I also think a man MUST me former active duty Military to be a commander in Chief to our armed forces. This government does everything bass akwards.
It is a sad day when our veterans, who were willing to lay their life on the line for their country, are left behind by that same people they stepped up for!
To all concerned:
I am in Haywood County, North Carolina and want to help any veterans coming back from the war. Even though it is 8pm at night, I have just left a message at the Charles George VA Center in Asheville, North Carolina for Allison Bond/Patricia Underwood at 828.298.7911 x5335.
I have been becoming more and more aware of the serious injustices that has occurred and is still occurring regarding our honorable war vets that have come back “home”. Please share with me any information that I can utilize to see what all the issues are for both men and women vets returning back from the wars front lines. The issues of PTSD, suicide, suicide attempts, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, AWOL and AWOL attempts and sexual misconduct.
I personally want to assist and advocate for our vets. My father was in US NAVY for 21 years, other service members were, ex-husband, numerous uncles, 2 brothers, 2 sister-n-laws and my partner now is serving as active duty US ARMY in Afghanistan. I have a home that I would be willing to utilize for a “safe home” for vets.
Please forward any information good, bad or otherwise concerning our Homeless Vets.
With utmost respect for those who serve us,
Dawn M. Cox
ruraladvocate@yahoo.com
Dawn
Let me said thank you for opening your heart and home for Veterans.
U rocks
Dawn. Not only combat soldiers suffer PTSD. Female soldiers serving in “peacetime” have been raped, sexually harassed, and demoralized. Some have seen some pretty awful things as MP’s too. I honor and appreciate our wonderful combat veterans who deserve all we can give them. But peacetime soldiers don’t get the time of day in the VA even though they have legitimate complaints and issues.
Homeless veterans are not a new issue in America. Every administration since the end of Vietnam have failed to live up the commitment they made to our returning vets. They (military/govt.) are full of promises when you sign up and take your oath of enlistment to serve. Once separated, it’s a another story altogether. I am a vet too and classified as homeless. Additionally, there are no benefits available for my era. I personally know many struggling vets who recieve little or no assistance. But our elected officials will gladly vote to spend our tax dollars on their pet projects or send our money overseas to hostile nations. Maybe having so many women homeless will spur a renewal by Americans to step up and do right by our nations veterans, though sadly, I doubt it. We (vets) need jobs and affordable housing. Not a handout, just a helping hand from the country we faithfully and honorably served. Is that too much to ask ?
these soldiers could be employed to refurbish existing millitary housing and other facilities and receive support on base at the same time… feed two birds with one birdbath.
These Female Veterans should not be on the streets to start with, something is not right.
We are already tired of the government paperwork forms and wait for approval Oh and this is not filled out properly DO IT OVER etc etc etc etc
Tigermax
How about this one, While at the Regional VA Office in Atlanta Ga. I requested a copy of my rating. I was informed that it would be six(6) months for me to get a copy. I looked at the clerk and stated dam what a waste of manpower and building space. My questions is Why does the VA have such a big building for paperwork.
Vision of Hope is a non-profit organization, located in Augusta, GA, that provides low-cost rooms for homeless veterans. For information, call 706-495-7446.
This country treat Illegals 100 % times better than our veterans who Put their Life on the Line to Protect our Freedom and the Constitution, and they get shit on by the Government. Screw the illegals, Help the people who count – Our VETERANS.
Tom
I do agree with you to a point. Lets not screw the illegals, lets just get the playing fields right. As a combat Veteran, a civilian that spent some time in Iraqi I was fired on Veterans day and the Manager was a ex soldiers, go figure. Do not support AAFES,
Wow. So sorry. I hate to hear about such things. Thank you for your service and dedication in service to your country. Many people appreciate and love our soldiers.
Tom, you are so right. I am a retired US ARMY Vet my self and when I see a vet in a park or on the streets it breaks my heart. They served their country and we should take much better care of them when they return home. All the money wasted going to other countries who hate us, could and should be used to get our vets back on the road to continued success with their lives and families when they come home. IT IS A SIN THAT THEY ARE ON FOOD STAMPS. A congressman makes 72K and we pay our soldiers nothing to put their lives on the line. It sickens me. It needs to change now.
A good many homeless veterans live in travel trailers, old motor homes, tents, etc. I’ve met many who live in tents in Oregon during the summer months and in the desert in lean-tos and old broken down trailers/motor homes in the winter months. Some are on social security, but most gave up on the VA helping them years ago. I’ve seen countless homeless veterans traveling the highways of the southwest, most of them walking. They take showers in truck stops when they can. Many used to make money by collecting cans out of dumpsters in southern CA, but that is illegal in many places now. It doesn’t “look good”. Homeless veterans pan-handle at entrance ramps on US Routes 10, 8, and 40. I’ve seen them pan-handle outside VA facilities in southern California, New Mexico, Arizona, New Orleans, and many other places across the US. Most of them don’t trust the government and won’t try to get help, as they were refused countless times when they returned from Vietnam. Most have no or really bad credit. Many don’t have savings or checking accounts and their SS or VA checks (because some do have disability VA payments) are mailed c/o General Delivery. They show their ID, pick up their checks, cash them at various check cashing places and then have to protect themselves from being robbed as best they can. Some have families that gave up on them years ago, due to drug abuse or alcoholism. Some don’t classify themselves as ‘homeless’. They say they’ve chosen this lifestyle – living and traveling in a trailer or motor home, moving from place to place. They get their medical care from VA medical facilities across the country (and usually have to jump through hoops to do it – waiting periods to get a “primary care physician” before they can get a blood draw for their INR levels, only to have the physician ask them ‘why are you here?’ once they get the appointment.) They deal with overworked clerical personnel who are just there for the paycheck and have little or no patience with a ‘traveling’ veteran. The VA medical system has a US-wide computer system, yet few within the VA medical community are willing to search for records generated in a different state. The point here is, the hassle a ‘traveling’ or ‘homeless’ veteran has to go through to get medical care makes it less likely they will seek the care they need.
How do I know this? I am a Vietnam-era veteran, married to a Vietnam-era disabled veteran. And we ‘travel’.
As a Veteran and a member of the DAV, I tend to keep up on reports of homeless vets. The Gov. says about half of the Homeless are Veterans, I don’t agree I’d say more like 1/3 or more are Veterans. It should not be such a fight for us to get the Benefits and Care we were promised when we entered the service. To those out there still in service, MAKE SURE you document everything, all Medical, all accidents, MAKE Sure to get copies of all medical treatment, DO NOT allow those Copies to be sent to the VA. get Certified Copies if you have to send them anything. Contact the American Legion and get a Service Rep. to help you. Also each state has a veterans affairs office contact them, they can help you also.
Good Luck, and Thank You For Your Service
It remains a damn shame that we can continue the send our younger sons and daurghters in to distant lands to defend our ways of FREEDOM and then bring them home to become homeless. WHEN ARE WE GOING TO START GOING TO TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN.
So sad. I am a women vet (100% disabled) and yes once the bank took my house in 2010, I would have been homeless. I am so thankful to my family and friends who loved and supported me and my 2 children. I went to my local social services office in NC and was denied food stamps for my family. It is sad when a disabled vet gets turned away while an illegal family got approved. It made me sick to my stomach.
Evrything USA gets avold in it seems likee they just try to kill the soilders out thare fighting for the contry..Its will be the tinyest thing And America Will Get in too it..Oneday i wanna put my line for the country soo ican do whats ritee but i wanna wakee the next day and wanna be the bravest man i was the other day..Make a diffrent in lifee but i’am not going to also fight for a country that cares about thare self.The probaly the congress aint going to care if you die..Like the presdient he aint going to caree..He just going to thank your nothing Even you putting up effort.
They just going to care if you madee it out thare a livee And you was The best man out thare..It doesnt matter if you the best it doest not matter if you a sergant,Captin.Because you risking your life put it upp for the untied states for all the people in the united states
I might be kidd but i’am speaking From my heart
The people running this country should be ashamed of the way that the Vets are being treated. If they were illegal aliens they would be given housing, money, cars and whatever else these so called bleeding hearts offered. Those in charge will pay for this in another life. I am a former Marine and love this country but hate the way our vets are treated.
Hey, I just got BVA approval of a claim filed with VA Regional for PTSD and Anxiety Disorder (which actually PTSD IS a damned anxiety disorder by the way). Filed in 2008. Have tried for more than two years at VA hospital to get effective treatment/therapy for long-term anxiety disorder affecting my entire life badly, employment, relationships, just two areas. All the psychs ever did was throw antidepressants at me and I was not depressed. Then they tried to say all my problem was related to my own self. An inherited thing maybe. Denied PTSD treatment totally, and denied my claim. Finally took it out of regional and to BVA where a diligent and intelligent judge pored over my documents and found the service-connection for my problems. I feel sorry for so many vets who are homeless because had my wife not been working all this time I would be homeless too. But thank God for that one BVA judge.
There are plenty of vacant HUD and bank (government) owned homes to house All homeless Vets, if money used to house homeless were invested in truly ending homelessness instead of government job creation. The over inflated administration of All government programs robs 3/4 of the resources intended for housing but is paying ‘middle class’ employees tax payer money to rob us blind and perpetuate poverty and homelessness amongst the veteran population which leads to catastrophic health problems which creates even more failed public (union) employee positions for even more failed Democratic policies. I worked for HUD funded public housing for over 6 years managing 428 units of low income housing for the elderly and disabled. It was one of many jobs I had in a 25 year career in human services, All of my publicly funded employment positions were so grossly mismanaged! I was eventually fired from my position as a government corruption whistle blower and found NO protection from ANY government agency or public official! The problems of homelessness can be solved, but it would be at the expense of millions of government funded positions that are sustained by the endless class of citizens that are intentionally and systematicaly disenfranchised for population control and job creation!
My Hubby was homeless when I met him, I lived durring Vietnam…NEVER AGAIN! SHAME ON THOSE WHO TURN AWAY OUR PROTECTORS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am a female veteran. And honestly. There is NO help with the VA or any government program to help with housing our female vets who are in need. Most can’t even get food stamps’ They fall into a donut hole making just enough to shelter, and feed themselves and do not qualify. And someone from another country comes and gets better medical, section 8 housing assistance, and food stamps now called SNAP. Makes me sick.
THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE TO LOOK FOWARD TO AFTER SERVING IN THE MILITARY. HOMLESS, BROKE AND NO WHERE TO GO AND NEVER THE LESS INJURED. LOOK WHAT WE GET FOR DEFENDING OUR COUNTRY.
.
It just never ends and it never will get better. It makes me sick to see how my Sisters and Brothers are beeing treated and I am helpless, I can’t do nothing about it. I want to, but whoever I Vote for always brakes his promise. I am sorry. I am also a Combat Vet… still active…. another number.
I was a peacetime soldier Wilma. But I would have put myself in danger like you did. Thank you for your very grateful service and I for one respect and admire all of you for your combat service. I am sorry that our country has not lived up to it’s promise. I pray for our combat vets all the time. God bless you and keep your chin up.
I am a homeless female vet in Atlanta, GA, but because I don’t have small children, I do not qualify for any of the homeless programs…Whenever I call for help, I am referred to a shelter – but that is only for a day or two..these so called programs do not help or the people that administer them think the money is theirs and are not completely honest with the female vets as far as what’s available to them. Also, the veterans crisis hotline only does referrals to the same places over and over no matter how much you tell them that the facility/person they referred you to is useless. I have been homeless since 2010 adn two years later – still no help.
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[...] January, Veterans United chief writer Levi Newman reported that female veteran homelessness has nearly doubled since 2006. The Department of Veterans Affairs has just taken another step [...]