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How Many Veterans are Homeless?


While only 8% of Americans can claim veteran status, 17% of our homeless population is made up of veterans. In 2010, the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) estimated that on any given night there were 76,000 homeless veterans sleeping on American streets.


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 consid- ered 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 in- cludes 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 dis- charge. Veterans have low marriage rates and high divorce rates; and, cur- rently, 1 in 5 veterans is living alone. Social networks are particularly im- portant for those who have a crisis or need temporary help. Without this as- sistance, they are at high risk for homelessness.


 Nearly half a million (467,877) vet- erans are severely rent burdened and paying more than 50% of their income for rent. More than half (55%) of veterans with severe housing cost burden fell below the poverty level and 43% receive food stamps.


 Approximately 45% of the 1.6 mil- lion veterans from Iraq and Af- ghanistan 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 disa- bility.


Doesn’t the Department of Veterans Affairs take care of Homeless Veterans?


Yes, they do. But the problem of homelessness among veterans is a big one. The VA served more than 92,000 homeless veterans in 2009.With an estimated 500,000 veterans homeless at some time during the year, the VA reaches 20% of those in need, leaving 400,000 veterans without support- ive services.


Since 1987, the VA’s programs for homeless veterans have emphasized collaboration with community service providers like Green Doors to help expand services to more homeless veterans. For more information about VA homeless veteran programs, go to www.va.gov/homeless.


Source: greendoors.org


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