The homeless veteran population hasn’t seen much of a decline.
That’s according to a new report from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which identified a significant increase.
Veteran homelessness increased by 7.4% last year for the largest jump in 12 years, as revealed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Count Report.
On one night in January 2023, there were 35,574 homeless veterans in the US, the report also revealed.
Overall, despite the spike from 2022 to 2023, veteran homelessness has declined.
Since 2010, the number of homeless veterans has decreased by 52%, with a 4% reduction in the last three years alone.
This year’s results revealed that 20,067 veterans experienced homelessness (meaning they lived in shelters) — a 2.6% increase from 2022.
Meanwhile, 15,507 veterans were unsheltered — representing a 14.3% increase from the previous year.
Unprotected veterans represent nearly 80% of the overall increase in homelessness seen in 2023.
Mission Roll Call CEO and US Army veteran Jim Whaley, who is based in Charlotte, North Carolina, expressed concern and dismay at the report’s findings in a phone interview with Fox News Digital.
“We have failed as a country when we see numbers like that,” he said.
“We are not doing a good job as a country in ensuring that veterans do not lose their homes. We’re not doing a good job of making sure they transition to civilian life in a successful way.”
Veteran homelessness increased by 7.4% last year for the largest jump in 12 years, as revealed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Count Report. Fraser Harrison
While many veterans have seen success in their off-duty lives, Whaley points out that ex-servicemen experience “many significant problems,” such as unemployment, food insecurity and access to benefits such as medical care.
Also, “the [Department of Defense] recognize that 24% of all active duty soldiers have food insecurity issues,” he said.
“That’s confusing.”
A new government report states, as posted on VA News (va.gov), “VA and our federal partners have made supporting uninsured veterans a priority, both as part of our 2023 Homelessness Goals and the All Inside initiative.”
The article added, “As of October 2023, VA has already engaged with 34,498 uninsured veterans to ensure they access the shelter and housing resources they need. This exceeded VA’s goal of engaging 28,000 uninsured veterans by 123.2%.
Overall, despite the spike from 2022 to 2023, veteran homelessness has declined. Scott Olson
‘We can do better than that’
The CEO of Mission Roll Call also stated about America’s veterans and their needs, “When you look at the base pay for junior enlisted people when they first join the service, it’s only a few thousand dollars above poverty level. We can do better than that, and we have to as a country.”
Whaley went on to state that military recruitment has been trending low.
While many believe this is due to a saturated job market, the CEO responded that it comes “full circle” when potential recruits see how the majority of US veterans live without help from government agencies.
“How can we expect to recruit the next generation of volunteers?” he asked.
Given that nearly a quarter of active-duty military personnel face food insecurity challenges, Whaley said, “I don’t understand why the Department of Defense is surprised that they’re not getting recruiting calls.”
Since 2010, the number of homeless veterans has decreased by 52%, with a 4% reduction in the last three years alone. Scott Olson
Whaley called on DOD to “do a better job of equipping service members to succeed in the transition to civilian life.”
“We need to make sure businesses understand the value veterans bring to the workplace — and [that requires] partnership at the highest level,” he said.
“That’s the president and the Department of Defense making sure that happens.”
Whaley called the DOD “guilty” of promising young recruits a set of skills and experiences that will make them “valuable” once they leave the service.
“It’s an empty promise, because they don’t deliver on it in their actions, programs or relationships with hiring organizations and businesses across our country,” he said.
This year’s results revealed that 20,067 veterans experienced homelessness (meaning they lived in shelters) — a 2.6% increase from 2022. John Moore
“There’s no reason we can’t hire 100% of our veterans coming out of active duty.”
The CEO of Mission Roll Call advises active duty military and veterans to “unite” to continue to bring attention to these issues.
“You need the best military to be able to keep our way of life safe – and that’s what volunteers do,” Whaley said.
“So, we need to take care of the volunteers and their families. And we didn’t do very well with that.”
‘Do not give up’
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Veterans for a Concerned America senior adviser John Byrnes, who is based in North Carolina, told Fox News Digital in a telephone interview that he was not surprised by the new report.
“Homelessness — along with mental health and substance abuse, which are linked together in many cases — has been a problem for veterans for a long time,” he said.
Byrnes listed several factors occurring in 2023, such as the “economic recession” and the VA’s 30-day backlog in mental health services, which are delaying care for veterans and potentially causing an increase in homelessness.
To address the homelessness crisis, Byrnes emphasized the need to “fix our economy” while also increasing efforts to protect veterans’ mental health.
In addition to the homelessness problem, he noted that the veteran suicide crisis means 17 veterans take their own lives every day.
To veterans, Byrnes advises, “Don’t rely on the VA as a single resource point.”
He also suggests contacting a local veterans service organization for help.
“This is a whole community, whole country, whole society approach,” he said.
“While veterans and the obstacles they face are ultimately the federal government’s problem, the federal government is the hammer and not every problem is the nail.”
To veterans struggling with homelessness, Byrnes said, “The biggest thing is don’t give up.”
‘One too many’
VA News, in an article on its website about the latest report, acknowledged the need for more work to be done at the federal level for homeless veterans.
“One veteran experiencing homelessness is too many, let alone 35,574,” wrote Monica Diaz, executive director of the VA’s Office of Homelessness Programs.
“We are at a pivotal moment in the nation’s housing and homelessness crisis,” the division said.
Among the solutions required from the VA are these, the article says:
- “Use our work to prevent veterans from becoming homeless in the first place.”
- “Connect homeless veterans to permanent housing with supportive services.”
- “Establish an effective protection system to support veterans and their families.”
- “Increase the supply of affordable housing.”
- “Strengthen tenant protections and reduce evictions.”
The article continued, “In collaboration with the US Interagency Council on Homelessness, HUD, the Department of Labor and other federal and local partners, VA will continue to implement evidence-based approaches, such as Housing First, to prevent and end homelessness among veterans.”
It added, “We will not rest until every veteran has a safe, stable, accessible and affordable home — and no veteran experiences the tragedy and indignity of homelessness.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
