Veteran homelessness is an unfortunate reality in the United States. Numerous factors contribute to homelessness, such as a lack of resources and support for veterans transitioning back into civilian life. While the nation expresses its support for its military in active duty, veterans who have finished their service are often overlooked as they join the homeless population.
Keep reading to learn about the circumstances many veterans experience that contribute to homelessness and how to support them.
How Many Veterans Experience Homelessness?
Homelessness is a concern for many in the US. Some groups make efforts to end homelessness through offering accessible resources and programs to uplift and support the homeless, while others see this issue as a blight upon the nation. However, what the latter tends to overlook is that veterans make up a significant portion of the homeless population.
The 2023 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report reports that 35,574 veterans are experiencing homelessness. Similarly, veterans make up 6.6% of the entire homeless population (541,484 homeless people). The reality of homelessness is that it can happen to anyone; however, veterans experience various factors that put them at a higher risk of homelessness.
Why Do Veterans Experience Homelessness?
Veteran homelessness is a result of a combination of factors that they face when they are no longer in active duty. The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans reports that some of the most common factors leading to veteran homelessness are a shortage of affordable housing, livable income, and access to healthcare.
Being unable to access affordable healthcare is one of the US’s most glaring issues, directly affecting the lives of many, including veterans. Without affordable healthcare, veterans struggling with conditions like PTSD or substance abuse are unable to receive the help and support they need to treat these issues.
Similarly, other factors contributing to veteran homelessness are affected by veterans’ age at military separation, the presence of mental disorders (including substance-related disorders) before leaving active duty, and experiencing military sexual trauma before discharge. Each of these factors builds on shaky access to health services and support, making the probability of homelessness skyrocket.
Resources for Homeless Veterans
Understanding the factors that contribute to veteran homelessness has made it possible for organizations and government programs to support at-risk or homeless veterans. Mission Roll Call, a non-partisan movement representing veterans’ issues, reports that in 2024, the Department of Veterans Affairs set goals to provide permanent housing to at least 41,000 homeless veterans and ensure that 95% do not return to homelessness within the year.
Other resources for homeless veterans include the Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program, which provides veterans with housing, case management, and clinical services.
Conclusion
After serving in the military, many veterans become at-risk for experiencing homelessness. Mental disorders, PTSD, and substance abuse are factors contributing to veteran homelessness; however, government programs through the Department of Veterans Affairs are making efforts to provide healthcare and affordable housing available to veterans to give them the dignity, support, and help they deserve.
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