Stand Down's Information Page
about
Homeless Veterans

The information on this page has been compiled from various sources. Credit is
given when possible and links to the sites of origin have been provided below.

For many reasons it is difficult to fully account for the actual number of
homeless (including veterans) in the US. Many sleep in their cars, in the
woods, or other hard to locate areas. There is not a national database
to help track our homeless veterans. The statistics that are available
do not include the many veterans that are at risk of becoming homeless.

Approximately 1/3 of homeless adults (one out of every three) in this country
are veterans. On any given night 200,000 - 300,000 veterans are homeless.
Based on various estimates it is calculated that 500,000 - 840,000 vets are
homeless at some time during the year. According to the Department of
Veterans Affairs the current number of homeless Vietnam era veterans
exceeds the number of fatalities that occurred during the war.

According to recent studies, Florida ranks third in the nation in the
number of homeless people, yet has one of the highest numbers of
homeless veterans. The number of homeless veterans in Florida on any
given night has been reported as 17,500 by the Florida Department of
Children & Families, or 18.4% of Florida's homeless population. The
National Coalition for Homeless Veterans reported the number to be
19,394. In 2005, roughly 3,000 new homeless veterans were enrolled
into Florida Department of Veterans Affairs homeless programs.

Homeless Veterans - Specifics

  • Males account for 97-98% of the homeless veteran population
  • 56% are African American or Hispanic
  • 76% experience alcohol, drug, or mental health problems (inc PTSD)
  • 45% suffer from mental illness
  • 50% have substance abuse problems
  • More than 67% served our country for at least three years
  • 33% were stationed in a war zone
  • 47% of homeless veterans served during the Vietnam Era
  • 17% served after the Vietnam era
  • 15% served before Vietnam
  • Many of our homeless veterans served in WW II, Korean War, Cold War,
    Vietnam War, Grenada, Panama, Lebanon, Operation Iraqi Freedom,
    Operation Enduring Freedom, Desert Storm & the military's anti-drug
    cultivation efforts in South America.

    Comparison to Non-Veteran Homeless

  • Homeless vets tend to be older - 46% are age 45 or older
    compared to 20% of non-veterans
  • Homeless vets are more educated - 85% completed High School
    or have a GED compared to 56% of non-veterans
  • 46% are white males compared to 34% of non-veterans
  • Why They Are Homeless

    Veterans become homeless for the same reasons non-veterans become
    homeless as well as due to veteran specific issues.

  • Severe shortage of affordable housing, livable income,
    & access to health care
  • Drug and alcohol abuse problems
  • Physical and mental illness
  • Combat related physical & mental illnesses (e.g., PTSD)
  • Reduction in educational benefits
  • Lack of adequate family and social support
  • OIF/OEF Veterans

    In the past two years 300 veterans who have returned from serving in
    Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom or OIF) & Afghanistan (Operation
    Enduring Freedom or OEF) have sought assistance for homelessness
    & this number is expected to grow. The National Coalition for Homeless
    Veterans' Iraq Veteran Project reported that OIF/OEF veterans are in
    serious danger for homelessness & chronic homelessness. They also
    found that OIF/OEF veterans are becoming homeless sooner after
    their return from combat than seen in previous wars. In addition
    to the veteran homelessness risk factors noted above, the
    researchers identified the following reasons for this.

  • Extended deployment and/or repeated deployment
  • Unemployment - there are three-times as many (15%) unemployed
    OIF/OEF veterans ages 20-24 than there are nationally (5%)
  • Familial disruption - around 40% of OIF/OEF veterans are from the
    National Guard & Reserve & these families have less access
    to support than families of regular service members


  • Who & What Helps Homeless Veterans

    The Department of Veterans Affairs reportedly serves more than 100,000
    homeless veterans each year. That is just a percentage of the number of
    vets who are homeless at some time during the year. Since 1987 their homeless
    veterans programs have stressed collaboration with community service providers.

    According to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans a "top priority
    is secure, safe, clean housing that offers a supportive environment which is
    free of drugs and alcohol." They state that "veterans need a coordinated
    effort that provides secure housing and nutritional meals; essential physical
    health care, substance abuse aftercare & mental health counseling; &
    personal development and empowerment. Veterans also need job
    assessment, training and placement assistance . . . helping veterans
    reach the point where they can obtain & sustain employment."

    The most effective programs for homeless veterans, according to the
    National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, are "community-based, nonprofit,
    veterans helping veterans groups. Programs that seem to work best feature
    transitional housing with the camaraderie of living in structured, substance-free
    environments with fellow veterans who are succeeding at bettering themselves.
    Because government money for homeless veterans is currently limited . . .
    it is critical that community groups reach out to help provide the
    support, resources and opportunities most Americans take for granted:
    housing, employment & health care."

    They believe these groups are most successful when they work in collaboration
    with government agencies (Federal, State, and/or local) & veteran service
    organizations and that "veterans who participate in these programs have a
    higher chance of becoming tax-paying, productive citizens again."

    Stand Down is a place like that described above.

    According to Peter H. Dougherty, Director of Homeless Veterans Programs for
    the Department Veterans Affairs, VA residential care programs like Stand Down
    are successful. Preliminary studies show that four out of five veterans who have
    completed these programs remain suitably housed one year after discharge.



    The Homeless Are In Danger

    Some of the dangers inherent to homelessness are easily known, for example,
    those that stem directly from the lack of adequate shelter from the elements
    and food. Florida's homeless veterans are among the most susceptible to these
    effects as they are among the oldest and most at risk due to illness.

    There is an increasing threat to the safety of the homeless. The number of violent
    crimes against the homeless that have been reported* has risen drastically in the
    past few years. A 2006 study by the National Coalition for the Homeless found
    142 violent crimes (including 20 fatal attacks) committed upon the homeless in the
    US. This number demonstrates a 65% increase from the number of violent attacks
    in the previous year and a 170% increase from their findings five years ago. The
    crimes documented included rape, stabbing, battery, and being set on fire. The
    fact that in a significant number of cases, the crimes were committed by teens
    and young adults, for no apparent reason other than boredom, is troubling.

    * The number of reported attacks, especially non homicide, is likely to be significantly
    lower than the actual number of attacks due to the tendency of the homeless not
    to report certain crimes and that crimes such as rape often go unreported.



    Help Us Help Them

    Donations help us provide support & services for these men.

    Your financial contribution would allow our non-profit organization
    to continue to provide services to our homeless veterans.



    Information Sites
    Some of the above material comes from:
    Circle of Friends for American Veterans
    Florida Department of Children & Families Office on Homelessness
    Florida Department of Veterans Affairs
    National Coalition for Homeless Veterans
    National Coalition for the Homeless
    United States Department of Veterans Affairs



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    Page updated September 9, 2008