Posted on May 12, 2014
Should closed bases be used to house homeless Veterans?
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Look we have a number of Closed bases that are just falling apart. Why not move homeless VETS to them to care for them and fix them up and then the homeless vet would have a place to stay and something useful to do. People need to feel wanted and useful and this is one way to do it. What do you think?
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Homeless
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Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 21
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Better than using them to house illegal immigrants, at least that's my opinion of it....
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SGT Alicia Brenneis
Temporarily, yes. During the VETs stay there should be a program that puts them through classes similar to the current ACAP classes. In addition to the classes a VA representative should help them (not just tell them) file for the needed benefits, and assist them with finding a job and housing.
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PV2 (Join to see)
That's an excellent idea SGT Alicia Brenneis and do for them what we did for Katrina victims and fast track their applications to VA facilities for care and HHS for assistance and job help. Many places have initiatives to hire Vets.
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1SG Joe Messier
US Vets is doing exactly that at the old Barbers Point barracks in Hawaii. House them, feed them, train them and transition them in to the work force! Some quick fix, some longer term. All with the goal of re integration in to the civilian world with a employable skill set.
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Homeless people in general need a sense of being, not just homeless vets. With that being said, I don't feel that using closed down bases/posts to provide free housing is a good idea. That would just become an outlet for people not having to do anything after their service as they would qualify for free housing. We have enough government fraud as it is in America e.g. Welfare, food stamps etc.
I am all for getting them some shelter, and providing support long enough (must be pre determined) for them to get themselves together and start submitting job applications. With the number of businesses claiming to hire vets, we need to hold them to their claims and help those homeless get jobs, and not just provide free living. There has to be a balance though. One application a week (for example) and no missed interviews.
The big question, with all the debt our Nation has already, who is going to pay for this? I would like to hear more of your idea.
I am all for getting them some shelter, and providing support long enough (must be pre determined) for them to get themselves together and start submitting job applications. With the number of businesses claiming to hire vets, we need to hold them to their claims and help those homeless get jobs, and not just provide free living. There has to be a balance though. One application a week (for example) and no missed interviews.
The big question, with all the debt our Nation has already, who is going to pay for this? I would like to hear more of your idea.
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SSG Robin Rushlo
The bases already need care and are being paid for or have been paid off. Much of FORT ORD can not be sold or even give to the cities or state of the are because of all the lead and other things in the training areas. With the old wooden barracks still there and falling down a lighting strike of fire would cause damage to the post and maybe the areas around it. The welfare system should be work fare. This would be a great place to do it. If you moved in you would get shelter, food and A JOB. Cutting lawns repairing buildings, taking buildings apart etc etc.
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1SG (Join to see)
But my question still remains.... Who pays for the new construction materials? Who pays for the food? Who pays for the electricity? Who pays for the water?
Yeah it sounds great that they would have a job, and that job would be repairing these facilities, but the materials are what cost the big money. You can bet that if it can't be sold or given away, then there is a reason for it. And putting homeless people in it probably is not in the best interest of their health. I understand that living on the streets is also not in the best interest of their health either. It's a double edge sword so to speak I guess.
Yeah it sounds great that they would have a job, and that job would be repairing these facilities, but the materials are what cost the big money. You can bet that if it can't be sold or given away, then there is a reason for it. And putting homeless people in it probably is not in the best interest of their health. I understand that living on the streets is also not in the best interest of their health either. It's a double edge sword so to speak I guess.
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