|
WHY ARE SOME VETERANS HOMELESS?
In addition to the complex set of factors affecting all homelessness…extreme
shortage of affordable housing, livable income, and access to healthcare...a
large number of displaced and at-risk veterans live with lingering effects
of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and substance abuse, compounded by a lack
of family and social support networks.
A top priority is secure, safe, clean housing that is free of drugs and
alcohol, and has a supportive environment.
VA is the only federal agency that provides substantial hands-on-assistance
directly to homeless persons. Although limited to veterans and their
dependents, VA's major homeless programs constitute the largest integrated
network of homeless assistance programs in the country, offering a wide
array of services and initiatives to help veterans recover form homelessness
and live as self-sufficiently and independently as possible. Nearly
one-quarter of homeless veterans have said they have used VA homeless
services and 57% have said they have used VA health-care services.
VA, using its own resources or in partnerships with others, has secured more
than 7,000 transitional and permanent beds for homeless veterans throughout
the nation. Using conservative estimates, VA currently spends several
billion dollars from its mainstream health care and benefit assistance
programs to assist hundreds of thousands of homeless and at-risk veterans.
To increase this assistance, VA has initiated outreach efforts to connect
more homeless veterans to both mainstream and homeless-specific VA programs
and benefits. These programs strive to offer a continuum of services that
include:
- Aggressive outreach to veterans living on the streets and in shelters
who otherwise would not seek assistance.
- Clinical assessment and referral to needed medical treatment for
physical and psychiatric disorders including substance abuse.
- Long-term sheltered transitional assistance, case management and
rehabilitation.
- Employment assistance and linkage with available income supports and
permanent housing.
VA is directing more that $150 million to its specialized homeless
assistance programs this year, including grants and per diem payments to 298
public and nonprofit groups to assist homeless veterans in 45 states and the
District of Columbia. VA sponsors and supports national, regional and local
homeless conferences and meetings, bringing together thousands of homeless
providers and advocates to discuss community collaborative planning
strategies and to provide technical assistance in such areas as transitional
housing, mental health and family services, and education and employment
opportunities for the homeless.
|
