Introduction
Veterans who have served their country often find themselves without a home.
Many of these homeless veterans are struggling with mental illness and substance abuse issues. They may also be suffering from physical disabilities that make it hard to find and maintain employment. There are many organizations that provide services for these homeless veterans to help them get back on their feet and reintegrate into society, but they often need the help of volunteers to make this happen.
The homeless veterans’ issues in USA 2022
In the USA, there are more than 40,000 homeless veterans. The government has been providing millions of dollars to the VA to help with this issue. But the number of homeless veterans is still rising.
This issue is a huge problem for America. Homeless veterans have a higher risk of mental health problems and mortality rates than their counterparts in society.
The government should not be only responsible for this issue. It should take responsibility from all levels of society to make sure that no one falls through the cracks and becomes homeless in America 2022
How to help homeless veterans in 2022
The best way to help a homeless veteran in 2022 is to help them find a job and housing. The best way to do this is by providing them with the resources they need to get back on their feet.
There is a 22% unemployment rate for veterans. The best way to help them, according to the article “How to Help Homeless Veterans” by Forbes, is to help them find a job and housing. The best way to do this is by providing them with the resources they need to get back on their feet.
How other organizations are helping
The American Legion has increased American Legion support for homeless veterans, coordinating the Veterans Homeless Task Force across its departments to supplement providers of homeless services and to fill gaps where assistance programs are not available. Since 1987, VA programs for homeless veterans have stressed working in conjunction with these types of social service providers to help increase services for a larger number of veterans experiencing crises. VAs dedicated homelessness programs served over 92,000 veterans in 2009, a high praise.
The Salvation Army has joined in the effort to end homelessness in the general population, including veterans. One of the most recent measures on homelessness, Rapid Re-Housing, was created through Supportive Services for Veteran Families. These grants are awarded through the Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program (SSVF), which is the housing program for homeless veterans and their families. The funds will help homeless vets and their families obtain quick re-housing and will prevent many veterans from becoming homeless in the future.
These vouchers are administered in collaboration with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and allow homeless veterans and their families to obtain affordable housing with a range of supportive services. VAs Homeless Veteran Program can provide a variety of benefits for homeless veterans, including housing, disability compensation, retirement, education and training, health care, job rehabilitation, and employment.
The Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program1 (HVRP) is a competitive employment-focused grant program administered by the Department of Labor, Veterans Employment and Training Service (DOL-VETS) and is the only federal grant that exclusively focuses on competitive employment of homeless veterans. Located at 301 N. High Street in Baltimore City, Maryland Center for Veteran Education and Training is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated to providing comprehensive services for homeless veterans and other veterans in need that allow them to rejoin their communities.
Veterans will be supported in obtaining services based on need/requirement of the veteran. The services provided and strategies used by Veterans will vary depending upon individual needs of Veterans and resources available within their communities. Rather than being expected to complete their care goals, Veterans are expected to be provided with case management and supports that must be coordinated with HUD-VASH, SSVF, or other community-based programs that are available.
If you need help with navigating the benefits process, The American Legion offers accredited American Legion Service Officers, who are specially trained to provide skilled assistance, free of charge, to veterans and their families. Connecting homeless and at-risk veterans to housing solutions, medical attention, public employment services, and other needed supports. Call the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Call Center for Homeless Veterans to get free, 24/7 access to trained counselors about local resources and help for homeless veterans and those at-risk for homelessness. Veterans who are at risk for, or who are currently experiencing, homelessness may also visit their local US Veterans Administration community resource and referral center.
Veterans experiencing homelessness, or who are at imminent risk for becoming homeless, may call or drop in at a local VA medical center or community resource and referral center, where VA staff is available to assist. Find housing assistance for veterans who are elderly, homeless, or disabled. Housing Help for Older Veterans Find programs that assist older veterans with a wide variety of housing needs. Housing Help for Disabled Veterans with certain service-connected or age-related disabilities may be eligible for housing assistance.
The Prince House at Manteno opened in 2007, providing housing and supportive services for homeless Illinois veterans, helping them manage many issues including post-traumatic stress, substance abuse, and other challenges. Additionally, leadership at The Prince Home at Manteno is contributing to a statewide mission of reducing homelessness among veterans by working with and providing consultation to community-based service providers, private organizations, and other statewide agencies regarding State and Federal programs aimed at veterans. Each year, the Inglewood U.S.VETS site provides transitional and permanent housing for more than 600 veterans, helps more than 100 veterans regain employment through its Workforce Development Program, and provides fast-rehousing services and homelessness prevention for more than 300 veteran families. At ten residential service centers across five states and Washington, DC, U.S.VETS aims to address inequities within communities that contribute to the disproportional rates of homelessness and unemployment for veterans.
Millville Multi-Service Center supports Veterans Haven-South, providing a program that provides credit-repair services and debt-forgiveness counseling for its veterans. Volunteers for Americas Moral Injury Repair Initiative has increased our ability to serve veterans who are experiencing crises and are at risk for suicide. Volunteers of America is committed to improving the wellbeing of all veterans and their families, whether they are recently transitioning from the military into civilian life, or they have been returning for some time, but are struggling with homelessness, joblessness, mental health and substance use issues, risk for suicide, and effects from traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and sexual trauma. Tragedy Assistance Program Seeking Active Duty, Veteran Members to Serve as Mentors for Military Loved Ones Grieving Military Child Deaths are unfortunate, yet potentially life-changing situations that result from dedicating ones life to protecting our Nation.
The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), a nationwide organization founded in 1994 to offer comfort and hope to those who are grieving the loss of a loved military life, is seeking active duty, Reserve, National Guard, and Veteran community members to serve as support partners for children of fallen American military heroes during the 28th annual National Military Survivors Training & Camp for Good Grief, May 26-30 in Arlington, VA. Vet Centers community walks May 18 to support homeless veterans The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)s 12th Annual VA2K Walk & Roll is back, aiming to get the body moving to support overall health and wellbeing, as well as help homeless veterans. PA Air National Guard helps build Tiny Houses for VA Vets To assist homeless veterans in transitioning to more independent lives, the Pennsylvania Air National Guard is helping Veterans Outreach of Pennsylvania to build a village of 15 tiny houses on a five-acre site surrounding the Veterans Outreach community center in south Harrisburg along the Susquehanna River.
That is why Bob Woodruff Foundation continues to partner with our Get Your 6 network to close gaps in government-run programs and make sure that all veterans experiencing or at-risk of experiencing homelessness have access to the full array of services needed to thrive in their communities. Lack of healthy support networks, accessible housing, and increased poverty are reasons veterans are at increased risk for homelessness.
More veterans’ families are economically disadvantaged, which increases their risk of homelessness, with 12.9% reporting incomes at or below 150% of the poverty level, and 9.2% of veterans receiving government assistance. About 1.5 million additional veterans, meanwhile, are considered to be at-risk for homelessness because of poverty, a lack of support networks, and substandard housing with poor conditions. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are 4,400 veterans living in poverty in Brevard County, and therefore, in order to achieve Mission Accomplished, we must house all of those who are experiencing homelessness, while keeping those at-risk in their homes.
Sources
https://www.hudexchange.info/homelessness-assistance/resources-for-homeless-veterans/
https://www.nj.gov/military/veterans/services/vetshavensouth/
https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/programs/hcv/vash
https://www2.illinois.gov/veterans/programs/Pages/prince-home.aspx
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/programs/hvrp
https://www.legion.org/careers/homelessvethelp
https://www.pinestreetinn.org/news_events/facts_about_homeless_veterans
https://www.senatoraument.com/enews/vets-051022/
https://www.usa.gov/veteran-housing
Conclusion/Recommendation on helping USA homeless veterans in 2022
The United States has one of the largest populations of homeless veterans in the world. With over 40,000 homeless veterans living on the streets, it is our duty to help them.
In order to end veteran homelessness by 2022, we recommend:
- Providing more affordable housing for veterans and their families
- Creating a program that will match homeless veterans with jobs
- Continuing to provide mental health services for vets who need it
Q&A
How many homeless veterans are there in the States?
There are approximately 40,056 homeless veterans in the United States.
What is the leading cause of homelessness among veterans?
The leading cause of homelessness among veterans is a lack of a support system.
What is the average age for a veteran to become homeless?
The average age for a veteran to become homeless is 35.
What is being done to tackle this homeless veteran’s problem by the US government and other organizations?
The US government and other organizations are providing housing and other emergency assistance, such as meals and clothing, to homeless veterans.
