Frequently Asked Questions Concerning
Homeless Veterans
This information, with some editing, is taken
from the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans
http://www.nchv.org/background.cfm
Who are homeless
veterans?
The U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) says homeless veterans
are mostly males (2 % are females). The vast majority are single, most
come from poor, disadvantaged communities, 45% suffer from mental illness,
and half have substance abuse problems. America's homeless veterans
have served in World War II, Korean War, Cold War, Vietnam, Grenada,
Panama, Lebanon, the military’s anti-drug cultivation efforts
in South America, Desert Storm, Afghanistan and Iraq.. Forty-seven percent of homeless veterans served during
the Vietnam Era. More than 67% served our country for at least three
years and 33% were stationed in a war zone.
How many homeless veterans are there in Utah?
Although accurate numbers are impossible to come by ... no one keeps
up to date, accurate records on homeless veterans ... the federal government estimates that more
than 299,321 veterans are homeless on any given night. And, more than
500,000 experience homelessness over the course of a year. Conservatively,
one out of every four homeless males who is sleeping in a doorway, alley,
or box in our cities and rural communities has put on a uniform and
served our country ... now they need America to remember them.
It is even more difficult to estimate Utah's
homeless population. It appears that Utah veterans are more likely to
be able to draw on family or Church resources than veterans in other
states, and are quite reluctant to seek out State or local social services. Thus, their need is less likely to be reported in official statistics. We are confident
that Utah's homeless veterans population directly proportional to the national
homeless veterans population. Hence we calculate that 2,395 Utah veterans are homeless on any given night and nearly 5,000 experience homelessness over the course of a year .
Why are Utah veterans homeless?
In addition to the complex set of factors affecting all homelessness… extreme shortage of affordable housing, livable income, and access to
health care 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 coordinated social support networks.
A top priority is secure, safe, clean housing that is free of drugs
and alcohol, and has a supportive environment.
While "most homeless people are single, unaffiliated men…
most housing money in existing federal homelessness programs, in contrast,
is devoted to helping homeless families or homeless women with dependant
children," according to "Is Homelessness a Housing Problem?" in Understanding Homelessness: New Policy and Research Perspectives
published by Fannie Mae Foundation, 1997.
Doesn’t the Department of Veterans
Affairs take care of homeless veterans?
To a certain degree, yes. According to the VA's 1997 report, in
the years since it "began responding to the special needs of homeless
veterans, its homeless treatment and assistance network has developed
into the Nation's largest provider of homeless services. Serving
more than 100,000 veterans annually." Meanwhile, the "Valor House", Salt Lake City VA's only homeless care center serves only about 35 men. (The Valor House is located in Building 3 of the Salt Lake City VA Medical Center. Their number is 801-584-2542)
With an estimated 500,000 veterans homeless at some time during a year,
the VA reaches less than 20% of those in need ...
leaving 400,000 veterans still without services, more than 3,000 in
Utah alone.
What services do veterans need?
Veterans need more services like those offered at The Homeless Veterans Fellowship in Ogden. This is a coordinated effort that provides secure housing and
nutritional meals; essential physical health care, substance abuse aftercare
and mental health counseling; and, personal development and empowerment. The HVF program also includes job assessment, training and placement assistance.
We at UtVet.com agree with the philosophy of HVF; all programs to assist homeless veterans
must focus on helping veterans reach the point where they can obtain
and sustain employment and self respect.
What seems to work best?
The most effective programs for homeless and at-risk veterans are community-based,
nonprofit, vets helping vet groups like the Homeless Veterans Fellowship Homeless Veterans Fellowship located at 541 23rd Street, Ogden, UT 84402-1706 phone (801) 392-7662
Contact the Director of the Homeless Veterans Fellowship, Reggie Burnaugh, at 801-392-5796. His email address is director@homelessveterans.org
HVF Programs can stand as a model for all of what seems to work best in helping homeless vets. They offer transitional housing with the
camaraderie of living in structured, substance-free environments with
fellow veterans who are succeeding at bettering themselves. They also offer Counseling and Medical Care, Employment counselling, and help for female vets.
Because
government money for homeless veterans is currently limited and serves
only one in 10 of those in need, it is critical that community groups
reach out to help provide the support, resources and opportunities most
Americans take for granted: housing, employment and health care.
There are about 200 community-based veteran organizations like the Homeless Veterans Fellowship
that have demonstrated impressive success reaching homeless veterans.
We will be most successful when we work in collaboration with Federal,
State, and local government agencies, other homeless providers, and
veteran service organizations. Veterans who participate in these programs
have a higher chance of becoming tax-paying, productive citizens again.
What can you do?
If you, or someone you know is a homeless vet, get in touch with the Vet Center (377-1117), or the Food and Care Coalition, 373-1825. These are both located in Provo. In an emergency, call the Emergency Room at the VA Hospital in Salt Lake City, 800-613-4012. Veterans Service Organizations like The Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Marine Corp League and Vietnam Veterans of America are also anxious to help.
* Involve others. If you are not already part of an organization, join
in. Then, when you are activated, pull together a few people more who are interested in attacking this issue.
* Participate in local homeless coalitions. The Food and Care Coalition in Provo is top notch. Their number is 373-1825. Contact your local mayor's
office for a list of providers that may be closer to your location.
* Contact your elected officials, and discuss what is being done in
your community for homeless veterans. A hand written, single page letter seems to work best at getting their attention!