Essay On Homeless Veterans

Two and a half million service men and women were deployed during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. When these service men and women come home from war, people usually visualize them getting a warm welcome and landing right back on their feet but this is not always the case. Many veterans suffer from PTSD and don’t get the help they need. Veterans are sometimes overlooked when politicians debate over current events and things that need to change. These veterans served their country but were living and dying on the street (Pearl 2). I chose the book “Veterans and Homelessness” by Libby Perl because it provided me with a statistics and a better understanding on the situation of veterans and homelessness.

In spite of having many advantages, veterans over-represent in the homeless population. The question “Why?” begs an answer. Forty years have passed since the Vietnam Conflict ended and homeless veterans became a representative image in American society. Surprisingly, it appears there are no studies on the factors contributing

Imagine not knowing where you will sleep tonight, not having a place to shower nor, having any money to buy food, that is the reality for thousands of homeless veterans living in the streets Los Angeles. As we look into the homeless issue in the city, we realize that the homeless call-out for

Also, while thinking about this particular issue, through the process of brain storming, I have begun to think about other issues that need to be solved where I live. I do know there are a lot of homeless veterans around where I live who are unable to get any help when it comes

Most of the homeless populations are veterans. “In 2007, the US Departments of Housing and Urban Development and Veterans Affairs conducted the first comprehensive census of homeless people and found that a disproportionate number of the homeless population were veterans” (Carissa Van Den Berk-Clark, and James McGuire). Veterans have served our country and risked their life for us, It's only right that we give them a house. The homeless veterans need to be more appreciated. A majority of the homeless people are older which is not healthy at all, when you get older your immune system goes down which causes you to be less healthy especially when you are out in the cold 24/7 and have no place to go causing you to get sick and risk possibly even

According to the 2012 Annual Homeless Assessment Report released by the Departments of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), an estimated 62,619 veterans were homeless on any given night in 2012. The good news is that the estimate represents a 7.2 percent decline from the 2011 estimate and a 17.2 percent decline compared to the 2009 estimate ("Veterans," 2013). Although progress is being made, there is much to be done. There are veterans with the same needs as the general homeless population, but also veterans with severe physical and mental health disabilities, related to their service, that necessitate permanent housing with supportive services.

Every year the United States of America send a total number of 22.7 million men and women over the age of 17 overseas to fight for the protection of the country (Veteran Affairs, www.va.gov). That is 22.7 million sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, and other extended family members. When their service is complete many of these war veterans return home to their families, but some have no families to return too. On any given night, there are over 107 thousand veterans sleeping homeless on the streets of America; hungry, thirsty and without shelter (Veteran Affairs, www.va.gov). That is not say that the men and women who have families are safe from homelessness. A majority of the homeless veteran population comes from people who

There is an estimated number of 49,933 homeless veterans and including those civilians without homes in the United States is 578,424. Another essential to truly take in to counter is the United States educational system and public school improving the high school graduation rate and to help fund the student and eventually help improve the economy. Also, to help bring in more equipped and educated teachers because as the student changes the teacher changes as well.

Imagine one making a huge decision to leave family, friends, and a familiar lifestyle to go serve and protect their country for months or years at a time. Imagine one risking their life and putting forth their time just to come back to no home, money, or health care while have developed a mental illness. The government promises all of these benefits one may never see and they end up on the streets without a home finding ways to cope which may lead to addiction. A study shows that “There are estimated to be about 50,000 homeless veterans on any given night with about 1.4 million others at risk of becoming homeless, the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans said, citing government statistics” (Shaw). Many of America’s homeless veterans have served in World War II, the Korean War, Cold War, Vietnam War, and many other wars. Nearly half of homeless veterans served during the Vietnam era. Two-thirds served their country for at least three years, and one-third were stationed in a war zone. Homeless veterans all across America come from different backgrounds and homelessness does not discriminate against gender. These veterans, including males and females, suffer from homelessness due to: being unemployable; suffering economic hardships; battling substance abuse, and lacking proper legal aid. Yes, there are plenty of resources out there to assist the homeless veterans that may help some but there are still too many veterans living on the streets.

“It’s like the path of least resistance... After a while, your self esteem gets really low and you don’t feel competitive any longer… Like you are already defeated.” (Applewhite ¶ 17). A quote from a homeless veteran shows how even though he has tried to relieve himself of the homelessness, it does not always end with the outcome that he wants, which leaves him feeling defeated, as well as thousands of others. About ⅓ of the homeless population are veterans, and they are usually the ones that need the most help (VA Expands Partnerships ¶5). The struggle that homeless veterans face everyday in the United States is a growing problem that needs to be fixed because it will continue to get worse. The healthy and productive success of

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development estimates that close to 50,000 veterans are homeless on any given night (2015).

The majority of homeless veterans have service connected disabilities that are a direct result of military service; this contributes to a high risk of homelessness among veterans. Unique military skills that are non-essential in the civilian sector, combat related health issues, fractured family relationships and the lack of affordable housing are other factors. Many of them lack a social support network and/or someone to assist them with getting assistance from the government. They may be unaware of the different services they require and are

As we present research on interventions utilized to assist United States Veterans who are experiencing homelessness, it is best to begin by re-emphasizing determinants such as combat, trauma inflicted by wartime events, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), isolation, unemployment, and substance abuse are potential factors of homelessness (Donovan & Shinseki, 2013). Disorders and Traumatic experiences may follow veterans after departing military services that produce distinctive challenges. Veterans is an at risk population that is apt to undergo psychiatric illnesses and are need of access to tailored resources and information that will offer a supportive environment that is absent alcohol, clean housing that is safe and secure, along with

United States., Congress., Senate. (2007). Looking at our homeless veterans programs: how effective are they?: hearing before the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, United States Senate, One Hundred Ninth Congress, second session, March 16, 2006. Washington: U.S.

Moreover, in most communities, especially the cities, these veterans who are in their 20s and 30s are found loitering around church buildings, shopping centers, and under the bridges due to the fact that they don’t have anywhere to stay, someone’s, you see them around traffic light signers on the street with placard written on, homeless veterans Vietnam war begging for money or food. This is a big disgrace to the United States at large, and has creates a huge problem since the government has been relentless to intervene to the crisis. However, according to the National coalition for homeless Veterans,