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Homeless Veterans
This fact sheet examines homelessness among U.S. veterans. A list of resources
for further study is also provided.
BACKGROUND
Approximately 40% of homeless men are veterans, although veterans comprise
only 34% of the general adult male population. The National Coalition
for Homeless Veterans estimates that on any given night, 271,000 veterans
are homeless (National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, 1994).
Despite
the overrepresentation of veterans in the homeless population, homelessness
among veterans is not clearly related to combat military experience. Rather,
studies show that homeless veterans appear less likely to have served
in combat than housed veterans (Rosenheck, 1996).
Similarly,
despite the widespread perception that Vietnam-era veterans constitute
the majority of homeless veterans, research indicates that the veterans
who are at greatest risk of homelessness are those who served during the
late Vietnam and post-Vietnam era (Rosenheck, 1996). These veterans had
little exposure to combat, but appear to have increased rates of mental
illness and addiction disorders, possibly due to recruitment patterns.
Faced with a lack of affordable housing, declining job opportunities,
and stagnating wages (see "Why are People Homeless?," NCH Fact
Sheet #1), people with these disabilities are more vulnerable to homelessness.
DEMOGRAPHICS
Homeless veterans are more likely to be white, better educated, and previously
or currently married than homeless nonveterans (Rosenheck, 1996).
Female
homeless veterans represent an estimated 1.6% of homeless veterans. They
are more likely than male homeless veterans to be married and to suffer
serious psychiatric illness, but less likely to be employed and to suffer
from addiction disorders. Comparisons of homeless female veterans and
other homeless women have found no differences in rates of mental illness
or addictions.
Minorities
are overrepresented among homeless veterans, just as they are among the
homeless population in general. However, there is some evidence that veteran
status reduces vulnerability to homelessness among Black Americans. Black
nonveterans are 2.9 times more likely to be homeless than white nonveterans;
Black veterans, on the other hand, are 1.4 times more likely to be homeless
than white veterans (Rosenheck, 1996). The reduced risk of homelessness
among Black veterans is most likely the result of educational and other
benefits to which veterans are entitled, and thereby provides indirect
evidence of the ability of government assistance to reduce homelessness.
PROGRAMS AND POLICY ISSUES
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) administers two special programs
for homeless veterans: the Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans program
(DCHV) and the Health Care for Homeless Veterans program (HCHV). Both
programs provide outreach, psychosocial assessments, referrals, residential
treatments, and follow-up case management to homeless veterans. Recent
evaluations have found that these programs significantly improve homeless
veterans' housing, psychiatric status, employment, and access to health
services (Friesman et al., 1996; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs,
1995). In addition, the VA has initiated several new programs for homeless
veterans and has expanded partnerships with public, private, and non-profit
organizations to expand the range of services for homeless veterans (U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs, 1997).
In
1995, the VA conducted a national survey of VA homeless programs and community
organizations to identify needs of homeless veterans. The survey found
that long-term permanent housing, dental care, eye care, and child care
were the greatest unmet needs of homeless veterans (U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs, 1995). Similarly, participants in a National Summit
on Homelessness Among Veterans sponsored by the VA identified the top
priority areas as jobs, preventing homelessness, housing, and substance
abuse/mental health treatment (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 1997).
In
general, the needs of homeless veterans do not differ from those of other
homeless people. There is some evidence, however, that programs which
recognize and acknowledge veteran experience may be more successful in
helping homeless veterans transition into stabile housing. Until serious
efforts are made to address the underlying causes of homelessness, including
inadequate wages, lack of affordable housing, and lack of accessible,
affordable health care, the tragedy of homelessness among both veterans
and nonveterans will continue to plague American communities.
REFERENCES AND RESOURCES
Alker, Joan. Heroes Today, Homeless Tomorrow? Homelessness Among Veterans
in the United States, 1991. Available, for $5.00, from the National Coalition
for the Homeless, 1012 14th Street, NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20005;
202/737-6444.
Applewhite,
Steven Lozano. "Homeless Veterans: Perspectives on Social Services
Use," in Social Work, 42 (January 1997) 1:19-30. Available, free,
from the National Association of Social Workers, 750 1st St., NE, Suite
700, Washington, DC 20002-4241; 202/408-8600, ext. 377.
Friesman,
Linda et al. Health Care for Homeless Veterans Programs: The Ninth Annual
Report, 1996. Available, free, from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs,
Northeast Evaluation Center/182, VA Medical Center, West Haven, CT 06516;
203/937-3850.
National
Coalition for Homeless Veterans, Providing reasonable estimates of Homeless
Veterans in America On Any Given Night in May, 1994, 1994. Available,
free, from the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, 333-1/2 Pennsylvania
Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20003-1148. Phone: 800-838-4357.
Rosenheck,
Robert et al. "Homeless Veterans," in Homelessness in America,
1996. Available for $43.50 from the National Coalition for the Homeless,
1012 14th Street, NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20005; 202/737-6444.
U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs. Heading Home: Breaking the Cycle of Homelessness
Among America's Veterans: A Post-Summit Action Report and Resource Directory,
1997. Available, free, from the Homeless Initiatives Office, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs (10-C-5), 810 Vermont Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20420;
202/273-6284.
U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs. Services for Homeless Veterans: Assessment
and Coordination. Second Annual Progress Report on Public Law 102-405,
Section 107; Public Law 103-446, Section 1002, 1995. Available, free,
CHALENG for Veterans, Carl Vinson VA Medical Center (00A), Dublin, GA
31021; 912/277-2795.
***
National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, 333-1/2 Pennsylvania Ave., SE,
Washington, DC 20003-1148. Phone: 800-838-4357; Fax: 888-233-8582; Email:
nchv@nchv.org
HUDVET.
Established by HUD's Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD)
in consultation with national veteran service organizations, HUDVET is
a Veteran Resource Center designed to provide veterans and their family
memwith information on HUD's community-based programs and services. HUDVET
may be reached at 1-800-998-9999 (TDD 1-800-483-2209).
Last
updated - April 1999 - National Coalition for the Homeless
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