Noteboom The Law Firm

New Report Details Our Homeless Veteran Crisis

February 23, 2011 - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently released a joint assessment of this nation's homeless veterans. Their final report claimed in 2009 there were 76,000 homeless veterans on average on the streets every night. At the same time, almost 140,000 veterans were living in shelters. The report is being called "the most comprehensive analysis to date" on homeless veterans.

HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan praises the report for its depth and accuracy. In order to actually meet the VA's goal of completely ending homelessness among veterans within their 5 year window, they must first understand the nature of veteran homelessness, according to Donovan.

The report broke down the dynamics of homelessness among veterans across the country. Approximately 12% of all homeless people in this country were found to be veterans. Researchers found at least 50% of homeless veterans were not surprisingly found to live in:

• California;
• Texas;
• New York; and
• Florida.

The study also noted the rate of homelessness among minority veterans was notably high; approximately 25% of homeless veterans were found to be either Black or Latino. Although there were no numbers provided for the amount of female veterans in the homeless veteran population, the study found they ran a high risk of ending up homeless.

The VA and HUD vowed to combat the growing problem of veteran homelessness via the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program. This program not only helps qualifying veterans with paying rent, it provides both personal case management as well as clinical services. Stopping homelessness through preventative means seems to be the most effective strategy and one that the VA will continue to develop over the next couple of years.