Homeless Veterans: A National Issue
Convergent sources estimate that between 23 and 40 percent of homeless adults are veterans. The U.S. Department of Veterans estimates that as many as 200,000 homeless people are veterans, and that over the course of the year, approximately 336,627 veterans experience homelessness. They are veterans of different conflicts, including World War II, Korean War,Vietnam War, Grenada, Panama, Lebanon; research indicates that those serving in late Vietnam and post-Vietnam era are at greatest risk of homelessness. Recent media accounts highlight a small but growing trend of veterans from Iraq and Afganistan showing up in shelters.
Once productive members of our society, these soldiers left their communities to represent our country and her citizens. For some veterans, the stress associated with war has been too much resulting in drug and alcohol addiction. Many of these veterans suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, a condition that according to the National Institute of Mental Health, can ‘develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened. Traumatic events that may trigger PTSD include violent personal assaults, natural or human-caused disasters, accidents, or military combat’.
Among other veteran groups, these veterans are known as MIA – “Missing in America”. They lack goals for the future and while dealing with the problems mentioned above, many find themselves homeless. With no permanent address to apply for jobs or VA benefits, homeless veterans find themselves in a situation of despair. Yet, there is Hope.