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OVERVIEW
A number of VA benefits assist homeless veterans, including disability
compensation, pension, education and burial benefits. Homeless veterans also
are provided special assistance through many VA program initiatives.
VA provides health and rehabilitation programs for homeless veterans. Health
Care for Homeless Veterans programs provides outreach and comprehensive
medical, psychological and rehabilitation treatment programs. Domiciliary
Care for Homeless Veterans programs provides residential rehabilitation
services. VA has a growing number of compensated Work Therapy/Therapeutic
Residence group homes, special day-time, drop-in centers, and Comprehensive
Homeless Centers.
VA's Homeless Provides Grant and Per Diem Program assist nonprofit and local
government agencies to establish housing or service centers for homeless
veterans. Grants are awarded for the construction, acquisition or renovation
of facilities, and for the purchase of vans for the transportation of
homeless veterans.
VA also has joined with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the
Social Security Administration, veteran's service organizations, and
community nonprofit homeless service providers to assist homeless veterans.
One-third of the adult homeless male population and nearly one-quarter (23%)
of all homeless adults have served their country in the armed services.
While there is no true measure of the number of homeless veterans, it has
been estimated that more than 250,000 veterans may be homeless on any given
night and that twice as many veterans experience homelessness over the
course of a year. Many other veterans are considered at risk because of
poverty, lack of support from family and friends and precarious living
conditions in overcrowded or substandard housing. Almost all (97 %) homeless
veterans are male and many are single. About 45% of homeless veterans suffer
from mental illness and, with considerable overlap; slightly more than 70%
suffer from alcohol or drug abuse problems.
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