Program Description HUD-VASH is a joint program between the Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Veteran Affairs (VA) (Homeless Veterans). HUD provides Homeless Veterans with a Housing Choice Voucher Program, known as Section 8 Housing (Homeless Veterans). While the VA assists with case management and clinical services for veterans. The VA provides these services to participating Veterans at VA medical centers and community-based outreach services. The Housing Choice Voucher provides rental assistance so a Veteran can rent privately owned housing (Homeless Veterans). Section 8 of the Housing Act authorizes payment of rental housing assistance to private landlords on behalf of low-income households. Homelessness is more likely to occur in Veterans due to many different reasons. Veterans are more likely to have; mental health disorders, histories or issues with substance abuse, experience with traumatic injuries & PTSD, and low socioeconomic status. All of which put Veterans at higher risk for homelessness. (Fact Sheet, 2015) …show more content…
In 2014 it was reported 49,933 Veterans were homeless. This is only 8.6% of the homeless population, before the use of HUD-VASH Veterans accounted for 67.4% of the homeless population, marking huge leaps forward in the efforts to end Veteran homelessness. (Fact Sheet, 2015) HUD-VASH was originally created in 1992 but did not gain support until 2007 (Driscoll). Congress added an abundant amount of funding or the program after issues with Veterans returning to a low economy aroused (Driscoll). The program gained further support in 2009 when the goal of ending homelessness for Veterans was established. During this time VASH became more important within the program
According to National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV), the likely persistence of this problem is evident on considering that the homeless veterans are identified to be younger on average in comparison to the entire veteran population. Among these, 9 percent is made up of those aged between 18 and 30, while 41 percent are in the 31-50 years bracket. Nevertheless, veterans in the 18-30 age bracket make up only 5 percent while those aged 31 to 50 make less than 23 percent. Notably, the exact figure of the homeless veterans may be impossible to establish considering the difficulty posed by the transient nature of such populations. However, estimates by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development indicate that there are 49,933 homeless veterans at any given night.
Second, 47,725 veterans are homeless according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Why so many homeless? It wasn 't until the 80 's that they started to find mental changes some severe mental changes after seeing the horror of war. Each scene plays out in their head known as post traumatic stress disorder or also know as PTSD causing it hard to function at work or in public traumatic brain injury, know as TBI, ties in with with PTSD. How does this affect the homelessness rates of veterans, as statics show and according to VA General inspector mental trauma is the cause for over 50 percent of the homelessness among veterans.
Proposal Narrative for 4 U Housing Coalition Tamela Milan PPA 512 Course Name: Professional Writing and Communication in Public Policy and Administration National Louis University October 27, 2015 The Mission of 4U Housing Coalition (4UC) is to advocate for the planning and development of housing units for large families in the Humboldt Park area. The history of Humboldt Park shows Humboldt Park is one of 77 officially designated community areas, located on the West Side of Chicago, Illinois.[2] The Humboldt Park neighborhood is known for its dynamic social and ethnic demographic change over the years. The Puerto Rican community has identified strongly with the area since the 1970s; however, gentrification and displacement has significantly
Veterans and our soldiers are coming home from war or getting out of the military and when they get home they can’t afford rent or they have a mental disease from war. Homeless veterans tend to experience homelessness longer than non-veteran homeless. This should not be happening to our soldiers. This is very undesirable for our troops to come home and becoming homeless. They fight for our freedom and our rights and we repay them by becoming homeless.
The homeless veteran population is a concerning problem to the Veteran Affairs (VA). The population has been growing over many decades. To have a better understanding why there are so many veterans being homeless this paper will discuss many of the reasons why this is occurring. Veterans who have served in high combat can suffer from physical disabilities and mental illness that affect the normal daily tasks, but also who have not served can also suffer with the same issues. Suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PSTD), causes veterans to have a hard time transitioning back to civilian life after the military.
Is it the stresses of war and inadequate job training? In addition, could it be untreated PTSD that keeps veterans from being productive once back in civilian life, thus causing the risk of homelessness? PTSD is one of the leading problems leading to homelessness among our veterans. As a veteran, myself, I understand the day to day struggles to come to grips with some things that were experienced as a soldier. For example, seeing fellow soldiers shot or killed, or the people you’re there to help turn on you, it’s a living nightmare.
I chose this topic because there seems to be a growing epidemic of homeless veterans in our country. This is very sad when you think of how those men and women voluntarily signed up to serve. There are so many Americans that live by the slogan “Land of the Free because of the Brave” yet, you have so many brave men and women eating out of garbage cans and sleeping under bridges. According to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans there are several factors that contributed to displacement of veterans such as shortage of affordable housing, low income, and inadequately healthcare. As well as the lack of family and social support not to mention the returning home wounded veterans suffering with the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression
One of the main causes of homeless veterans is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD. “ is a medical problem where
Homelessness amongst veterans is a very big concern in the United States for those returning from the military. According to the Annual Homeless Assessment Report (2014), it was estimated that there were about 49,933 veterans out at night (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs). That is a big number for people who were out there serving our country and sacrificing themselves and putting their lives on the line. Many of them are coming to be in this position because of transition issues, substance abuse, mental health issues and housing limitations. We must be able to understand and relate to these issues that the veterans are having in order to help them overcome the homelessness and find housing and employment.
One reason that the homeless rate in veterans is on a rise is because of a misunderstanding when it comes to being paid during the recruitment process. During this process the recruiters will sell you lie. They claim to tell you about how much they’re getting paid and what they started off with. Most recruiters have been in the military for years, and a lot of been to school and gotten a higher level of education, which also affects the amount you get paid. They fail to tell people that information.
“Homeless veterans deserve a place in the American dream” an article supporting veterans and the benefits they deserve. The article is written by Maria Cuomo Cole, a firm believer in veterans rights, which helped form my opinion and my essay. They gave us their lives and we can’t give them the assistance they need? Every day we hear about veterans who are losing everything and we just turn the other way. This problem won’t fix itself, and if we don’t do anything to about this problem it will never be fixed.
The majority of homeless veterans, individuals that are mainly men, ninety- one percent to be exact, they live mostly in cities and may have a mental or physical disability. Veterans are more likely to become homeless if they partake in low socioeconomic status or a mental health disorder, for example, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and traumatic brain injuries. Both of these have been found in a large majority of the homeless veterans. When they have these disorders, it is harder for them. to go back to the civil life that they had before they left for serving in the war.
Homeless veterans need more help After all the things that homeless veterans have done for this country, they need more help. Many times, veterans will be seriously injured while in service. Whether it’s a physical or mental injury, they are serious.
The US has grappled with many questions about society’s obligations as to whether or not to offer services and benefits to the men and women in the armed forces. Supporters argue that helping veterans will help the society as whole and opponents argue that we shouldn’t be increasing our federal government spending in repaying veterans. Although I do see where people can argue that we are spending too much money on helping veterans after war, I believe that the government owes them for what they have done for the country, despite the cost. The government owes certain benefits to veterans because the men and women in the armed forces deserve to be welcomed home with a generous system of services for what they have done for the country. Helping veterans goes way back all the way to the 1600s.
With the increased use of housing-based assistance programs being created, there is a positive outlook for homeless looking for assistance getting back on their feet by acquiring affordable housing. The ability to apply and gain benefits through state and federal programs is helping to provide food and some financial assistance to the homeless population as well as a community outreach programs being deployed in cities all over the country. New opportunities for employment and training are available for those who are homeless and looking to get back into the workforce and get off the street. The road ahead for the homeless population is, of course, paved with struggles and detours, but with the continued efforts of our country, states and communities we can work together to aid in the reduction of homelessness with the continued efforts in creating and maintaining affordable housing programs, assistance programs, and workforce development