Veteran Homelessness

What are our Veterans fighting for? Simply put, the idea of America. It’s the freedom of choice, the freedom to pursue happiness, and a way of life that best suits us as individuals. We’ve prospered under those ideals for hundreds of years – but today, that American Spirit is no longer secure.

We’ll never forget our Veteran’s sacrifices in military service or what they continue to do to protect our nation.

To be a Veteran is to make a sacrifice. It’s an immeasurable sacrifice that we can never repay, a sacrifice that no civilian can fully understand, but a sacrifice that is so meaningful to an entire nation. And yet, it’s a sacrifice that often goes unappreciated or even ignored.

Our Veterans give their time, bodies, and hearts to defend our country. As a nation, we owe them our everlasting gratitude. Serving our country takes a deep and abiding commitment from any person who does, and the spirit of that commitment should imbue us all with a sense of pride, respect, and admiration. That’s why, as Americans, we must honor our Veterans and the sacrifices they’ve made for our country.

But today, we’re failing our Veterans. We’re failing to respect their service. We’re failing to provide them with the kind of care they deserve. And we’re failing to ensure that those who have survived combat and imprisonment aren’t condemned to a lifetime of homelessness and deprivation.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) estimates that there are over 300,000 homeless people on any night in the United States. Of that figure, homeless Veterans make up over 11% (around 40,000). That’s a staggering number.

The question is: why? Why are so many of our nation’s Veterans without housing?

The answer is disheartening, but when you look at the issues facing our Veterans on a case-by-case basis, it’s not hard to understand why so many of them are struggling.

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder — For one, many Veterans are struggling with mental health issues. According to a National Institute of Mental Health study, nearly 15% of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and over 20% suffer from depression. These mental health issues can make it difficult for Veterans to hold down a job.
• Substance Abuse — Substance abuse takes many forms, from alcohol to drugs, and it’s a severe issue for Veterans. While PTSD is a significant risk factor for substance abuse, Veterans may also turn to drugs or alcohol to self-medicate the hardships of post-war life: lack of social support, chronic pain, insomnia, survivor’s guilt, and more. Substance abuse creates a vicious cycle, exacerbating mental health issues and making it even harder for veterans to find and keep employment.
• Traumatic Brain Injury — Many soldiers are injured during their service, which can affect them for life. While some injuries heal, others may cause so much pain that it affects everyday activities such as bathing or sleeping. Other injuries cause more severe problems, such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), which can be hard to diagnose, but has serious long-term effects on memory, cognition, and behavior. A 2017 Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences study estimated that nearly 18 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans suffer from TBI. Traumatic brain injury can prevent Veterans from getting or keeping a job and cause significant emotional stress for families and loved ones who witness their suffering.

Tackling Veteran homelessness requires a multifaceted approach. We need to provide more resources for mental health care and substance abuse treatment, create more employment opportunities, and find ways to help Veterans suffering from injuries. Supporting our Veterans is not a political issue. It’s an American issue, and it’s one that we need to come together to solve. As a nation, our obligation to them doesn’t end when they take off their uniform. We must continue supporting them through the difficult times and ensure they have the resources they need to rebuild their lives. It’s the least we can do for the men and women who have sacrificed so much for us