Wednesday, March 27, 2024

What Percent Of Homeless Are Veterans

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Key Question #4 What Is The Relationship Between Incarceration And Homelessness Among Veterans

The Number Of Homeless Veterans Dropped Nearly 50 Percent Since 2010

After a steady rise in the number of Veterans in prison since 1985, the number, which peaked at about 153,100 in 2000, had declined by about nine percent to 140,000 by 2004. The age adjusted incarceration rate for Veterans, which accounts for the older distribution of the Veteran population when compared to the general population, is about 1,253 per 100,000 or about 10 percent lower than the rate for non-Veterans. An older study of mentally ill Veterans found 15.7 percent had an incarceration history. A more recent national study found three percent of Veterans were incarcerated.

Incarcerated Veterans were more likely to have committed violent offenses than the incarcerated non-Veteran population. Over half of Veterans serving in state prisons , but fewer than half of non-Veterans were in prison for violent offenses. While about 20 percent of non-Veterans were incarcerated for homicide or rape/sexual assault , over a third of Veterans were serving sentences for homicide and rape/ sexual assault . A similar pattern is found for active-duty personnel held in military prison. In 2004, 46 percent of all inmates in military custody were incarcerated for violent offenses, with rape or sexual assault being the most common reason for incarceration, accounting for 29 percent of inmates in military prisons.

Supportive Housing For Veterans Compared To Non

The needs between veterans and non-veterans experiencing homelessness can differ. A study was implemented by the Collaborative Initiative to Help End Chronic Homelessness in 2004 by the Interagency Council on Homelessness. They used eleven sites around the United States tracked data for one year by comparing 162 chronically homeless veterans to 388 chronically homeless non-veterans.

Both groups were enrolled in a national supported housing initiative over a one-year period and several differences were noted. The first was that the veterans tended to be from an older age group, identified as male, and were more likely to have completed high school. While in enrolled in supported housing, the mental health of both groups improved through mental health services offered. However, veterans were reported to make greater use of the outpatient mental health services compared to non-veterans. Both groups also gradually reduced the use of health services once housing was obtained, therefore, this suggests that the program is effective in reducing clinical needs among chronically homeless of adults in general.

Problems In Sampling And Populations

Sampling limitations are common. Most studies include samples that disproportionately comprise the chronically homeless rather than the newly homeless. Studies often rely on small, geographically isolated samples, which make it difficult to make generalizations about the larger homeless population. In addition, several studies examine former homeless individuals, often termed ever homeless, in order to draw more generalizable conclusions about the homeless experience. Although such studies are useful, their sample selection includes only those, who for whatever reason, have made it out of homelessness, thus undersampling those who may have higher rates of symptom severity for risk factors such as substance abuse and mental illness.

Few studies directly assess the prevalence of psychiatric, substance abuse, or chronic illness in the general population of homeless Veterans. Most studies rely on already morbid populations seeking treatment for services and so cannot provide estimates of prevalence in the population as a whole. Fischer and Breakey further point out that much research has relied on nonrandom sampling frames, which may introduce bias, thus influencing prevalence rates of certain attributes. Rates of alcohol, drug, and mental health problems, for instance, tend to appear larger among homeless individuals sampled in shelters, clinics and on the streets and lower in sampling sites such as food or service providers.

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Hud Releases 2021 Annual Homeless Assessment Report Part 1 Report Suggests That Covid

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today released its 2021 Annual Homeless Assessment Report Part 1 to Congress. The report found that more than 326,000 people experienced sheltered homelessness in the United States on a single night in 2021, a decrease of eight percent, from 2020.

Sheltered homelessness refers to people experiencing homelessness who were found in emergency shelters, transitional housing, or other temporary settings. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, HUD waived the requirement for communities to conduct the count of unsheltered homelessness in 2021. In January 2021, 138 communities, 36 percent of all communities, conducted full unsheltered counts and an additional 72 communities conducted a partial count, in which total unsheltered counts were reported but not household or demographic characteristics. Therefore, 2021 AHAR Report Part 1 is only able to provide national estimates on sheltered homelessness and findings on unsheltered homelessness only from the communities that conducted unsheltered counts.

The Point-in-Time counts of homelessness and the housing inventory information are based on data from January 2021 and thus do not reflect the full impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of homelessness or the health and economic status of people experiencing homelessness.

Key Findings of HUDs 2021 Annual Homeless Assessment Report Part 1:

Sheltered Homelessness

Sheltered Chronic Homelessness

How To Greet A Veteran On Veterans Day And All Year Long

5 Key Facts About Homeless Veterans

If we remind veterans that they are heroes who are fundamentally oriented to service and are better for what they went through in the military, we have a chance at healing the divide in our country.

I get it though. Sad stories attract viewers, readers, and funding dollars.

But itâs frustrating as a veteran to only hear stories about veteran homelessness and wounded warriorsâ â âthe first things people think of when they think about veterans.

When we as a society look at veterans as help cases, we end up perpetuating the problem.

I donât know anyone who signed up for the military so that they could get healthcare benefits, pity, or handouts.

We signed up to serve our country. Service is in our blood. And it doesnât disappear when we leave the military.

Following World War II, almost half of the veterans went on to own or operate a business.

Fred Smith started FedEx, Phil Knight started Nike, and Bob McDonald led Procter & Gamble. These veterans were responsible for one of the greatest economic booms in history.

Fast forward, and the reality today is less than 6 percent of veterans are becoming entrepreneurs, even though 25 percent say they want to start a business.

We as a country need our veterans and military spouses to start businesses because when they do, they are more likely to be successful, hire other veterans, donate more money to their communities, and engage in civic activities including running for office.

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What Is The Primary Cause Of Veteran Homelessness

Veterans are 50% more likely to become homeless than other Americans due to poverty, lack of support networks, and dismal living conditions in overcrowded or substandard housing.

  • About 1.5 million veterans are considered at-risk of homelessness. At risk is defined as being below the poverty level and paying more than 50% of household income on rent. It also includes households with a member who has a disability, a person living alone, and those who are not in the labor force.
  • Research shows that the greatest risk factors for homelessness are lack of support and social isolation after discharge. Veterans have low marriage rates and high divorce rates and, currently, 1 in 5 veterans is living alone. Social networks are particularly important for those who have a crisis or need temporary help. Without this assistance, they are at high risk for homelessness.
  • Nearly half a million veterans are severely rent burdened and paying more than 50% of their income for rent. More than half of veterans with severe housing cost burden fell below the poverty level and 43% receive food stamps.
  • Approximately 45% of the 1.6 million veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan are seeking disability compensation. The average wait to get a disability claim processed is now eight months. Payments range from $127/month for a 10% disability to $2,769 for a full disability.

Military Sexual Trauma May Place Veterans At Increased Risk Of Homelessness

Awareness of the problem of has increased dramatically in the past decade, although evidence indicates that sexual harassment and assault, especially, but not only, directed against female service members occurred in earlier eras of service as well. A 1999 study of female outpatients found military sexual assault was reported by 23 percent of respondents another study from the 1990s of inpatient and randomly selected outpatient female Veterans at one similarly found that 14 percent of female Veterans under age 50 reported attempted rape during military service. Kimerlings analysis of data from over 125,000 / Veterans, who are now routinely screened for MST, found a prevalence of 15.1 percent positive MST screening among women and 0.7 percent positive screening among men.

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Demographics Of Homeless Veterans

21. 11% of the homeless adult population are veterans.

A large section of homeless people in the US includes veterans. In fact, 11% of all homeless adults in the US are veterans. Growing veteran poverty is the main reason for this high percentage.

22. 20% of the male homeless population are veterans.

An even bigger section of the male homeless population of the US are veterans. This could very well be because of the many medical, mental, and social issues faced by veterans once they return from service.

23. 68% reside in principal cities.

68% of homeless veterans reside in principal cities because they have better opportunities to survive in these places.

24. 32% reside in suburban/rural areas.

The remaining 32% reside in suburban or rural areas, possibly because they may have family or some kind of support network that keeps them there.

25. 51% of individual homeless veterans have disabilities.

It should come as no surprise that more than half, at 51%, of individual homeless veterans, have disabilities. These disabilities range from physical, mental, intellectual, and sensory disabilities to any combination of multiple factors.

26. 50% have serious mental illnesses.

Serious mental illness affects half of all homeless veterans, with 50% suffering from it. Much of these mental illnesses stem from their service experience and are exacerbated by the financial and social issues they face after returning.

27. 70% have substance abuse problems.

Some Exposures Like Alcohol/drug Abuse And Low Social Support That May Increase Risk Of Homelessness Frequently Emerge During Service Or The Readjustment Period

Formerly homeless Navy veteran on helping other homeless vets

Drug and/or alcohol abuse, though widely studied and popularly accepted as risk factors for homelessness, have not been consistently shown to increase the risk of homelessness among Veterans. There is limited evidence suggesting that alcohol and drug use increase the risk of homelessness, but there are many potential confounding factors. While exposure to these risk factors is not intrinsic to military service, evidence suggests that military culture and/or the inherently disruptive nature of military service tours increase the likelihood of negative outcomes for both alcohol/drug abuse and social support. These weak associations with the onset of alcohol/drug abuse and low social support post-service explain why military service in general is included in the conceptual model, even though in other ways military service may provide protection against homelessness.

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Health Care For Homeless Veterans

Many of the studies of homelessness among Veterans are based on data from clinical populations receiving services in programs, and so may have limited applicability to an understanding of homelessness among Veterans more generally. While these are often large national data sets, they nevertheless capture data only on those Veterans participating in those programs. In addition, these programs are often focused on Veterans with particularly acute service needs. A description of some of the programs most frequently used as sources of data follows.

Homeless Chronically Mentally III Veterans Program

The program was established in 1987 at 43 Veteran Administration Medical Centers in 26 states and the District of Columbia as a program for Veterans with psychiatric problems. An initial assessment of the program conducted between May 1987 and March 1988 found that the median age of participants was 40 that 67 percent needed specialized psychiatric, and 72 percent needed medical evaluation or treatment: that 46 percent reported significant substance abuse and 65 percent reported a previous hospitalization for either a psychiatric or substance abuse problem that 47 percent were living in shelters, 9 percent were doubling up, 8 percent had a room or apartment, and 35 percent had no residence and that over half were Vietnam era Veterans.

Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans

Access to Community Care and Effective Service Supports

Risk Factors For Homelessness Among Veterans

Less than 1% of veterans are homeless, but certain groups of veterans are at particular risk for becoming homelessviii.

  • Gender/Age/Race
    • Although their numbers are small, women and people who are between the ages of 18 and 30 are subgroups of veterans who are at particularly high risk of becoming homeless.
    • Rates of homelessness are higher for veterans who identify as Hispanic, African-American, and Native American than for non-minority veterans.
    • Ten percent of veterans living in poverty became homeless at some point during the year, compared to only 5% of non-veterans living in poverty.
    • Women veterans living in poverty are nearly 3 times more likely to be homeless than non-veteran women living in poverty
    • Young veterans living in poverty are nearly 3 times more likely to be homeless than non-veteran adults living in poverty
    • About 1 in 4 Hispanic and African-American veterans living in poverty become homelessix.

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Veteran Homelessness Per State

30. California has the highest estimated number of veterans experiencing homelessness

Sunny California is sitting at the top of the list with nearly 11,000 veterans currently living without any shelter. The exact number in 2019 was 10,980, which is nearly 5 times more than the second state on the list. California also has the highest number of homeless people in the US per state.

Statista

31. Florida ranks second

The number of homeless veterans in Florida is significantly smaller than in California. In 2019, a total of 2,543 vets were counted by the authorities experiencing homelessness. Thats out of a total homeless population of just over 31,000 in Florida.

USICH

32. Texas, Washington, and Oregon follow suit

The number of vets experiencing homelessness is highest in California and Florida, with Texas coming right below them on the list. In 2019, a total of 1,806 veterans were homeless in Texas, with Washington and Oregon close behind .

Statista

33. New York and Colorado the last remaining states with over 1,000 US vets experiencing homelessness

Surprisingly, New York and Colorado are the only other states with a count of over 1,000 homeless people who have served in the Army.

Statista

34. North Dakota and Wyoming on the bottom of the list

Statista

35. North Dakota and Wyoming had the greatest decrease in homelessness among US veterans in 2018

The drop experienced in North Dakota was a massive 87.8%, far ahead of Wyoming , Kentucky , Delaware , and Washington .

Forbes

A New Place For Veterans

Chart: Where Veteran Homelessness Is Rising And Falling

Metro Phoenix soon will have new shelter and housing options for veterans.

In 2020, Phoenix provided $10.5 million of federal COVID-19 relief funds to purchase a new building for U.S. Vets. The organization had to end the lease at its current facility on Grand Avenue when its landlord more than doubled the rent.

The new facility will house more veterans and ensure another rent increase doesn’t push the organization out in the future. It will include 162 transitional housing beds and 30 affordable housing units.

“I’m beyond ecstatic to have a new home,” Jameson said.

She said U.S. Vets is nervous about the long-term impacts of increasing housing and rental prices in metro Phoenix. She said an apartment complex U.S. Vets used to recommend for veterans increased its monthly rent from $835 to $1,500 for a one-bedroom rental.

Jameson said the most important tool is prevention, and U.S. Vets and other organizations are prioritizing keeping veterans in housing.

“Once they’re evicted or homeless, it’s harder to get them back into housing,” she said.

U.S. Vets uses traditional housing programs like Rapid Re-Housing and Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing vouchers to find permanent housing options for veterans, but it’s also experimenting with some new programs, Jameson said.

She said the organization is also trying a new initiative to connect veterans with roommates to bring down the cost of housing.

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Are We Ending Veteran Homelessness

In 2009, then-VA Secretary Eric Shinseki, in tandem with President Barack Obama, set forth the audacious goal of ending veteran homelessness by 2015. Current VA Secretary Robert Wilke also supports this goal. To help secure commitments to this goal, in June 2014 First Lady Michelle Obama announced the Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness. Since its launch in 2014, the Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness has helped 78 communities and three states to achieve this goal.

In January 2015, New Orleans became the first major city to announce that it had ended veteran homelessness. The success of SSVF, HUD-VASH, and other programs targeted to veterans, combined with the dedication and commitment of Americas communities prove that ending veteran homelessness is possible.

Employment Rates Among Veterans Are Similar To The Overall Homeless Population

  • 29% of Veterans experiencing homelessness were employed 17% overall were employed full time. These rates are similar to the overall population of adults experiencing homelessness .
  • 34% of unemployed homeless Veterans were looking for work. Among those who were unemployed, 73% reported being unemployed for a year or more 52% had been unemployed for more than four years.

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Selected Scientific Articles By Our Researchers

Differences in experiences with care between homeless and non-homeless patients in Veterans Affairs facilities with tailored and nontailored primary care teams. Jones AL, Hausmann LRM, Kertesz S, Suo Y, Cashy JP, Mor MK, Schaefer JH Jr, Gundlapalli AV, Gordon AJ. VA facilities with H-PACT programs appear to offer a better primary care experience for homeless versus nonhomeless Veterans, reversing the pattern of relatively poor primary care experiences often associated with homelessness. Med Care. 2018 Jul 56:610-618.

Posttraumatic stress disorder and interpersonal process in homeless Veterans participating in a peer monitoring intervention: associations with program benefit. Van Voorhees EE, Resnik L, Johnson E, O’Toole T. Disruption to the capacity to develop and maintain social bonds in PTSD may interfere with the capacity to benefit from peer mentorship. Psychol Serv. 2018 Jan 25.

Changes in public attitudes and perceptions about homelessness between 1990 and 2016. Tsai J, Lee CYS, Byrne T, Petrzak RH, Southwick SM. There has been an increase in compassion and liberal attitudes toward homelessness in the past two decades. Am J Community Psychol. 2017 Dec 60:599-606

Which homeless Veterans benefit from a peer mentor and how? Resnik L, Ekerholm S, Johnson EE, Ellison ML, O’Toole TP. The majority of Veteran participants in this study benefited from receiving peer mentor intervention. J Clin Psychol. 2017 Sep 73:1027-1047

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