Why is it that we’ve got so many veterans in homeless shelters?

PFC James (LURCH) Janota — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 02:09:26 -0400

I went to the local homeless shelter for veterans. In our local shelter there are 1000’s our brothers and sisters without homes. I asked how many homeless vets we have Statewide and they said it was 10’s of thousands. We have so many foreclosures and some of these veterans are able to be productive. Why can we get some way of getting these veterans into some of these homes. Now, I don’t want to have anyone saying anything about “free lunch” so can anyone help me understand why this is going on? Some of these people are younger than me! Something has got to be done. I’m going to make a GoFundMe page so that we can start getting our brothers and sisters out of these shelters. Can someone help me get something going here and work with me on this campaign?

Response by PO3 Phyllis Maynard made Jun 4 at 2018 5:04 AM

PO3 Phyllis Maynard — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 05:04:39 -0400

PFC James (LURCH) Janota when I discharged from the Navy and fell on hard times due to a house fire, losing everything, I became homeless with my 4 year old son, 25 years ago. When I sought out help, I stated that I had served my country honorably and was a decorated veteran. I was told, well ma'am get in line.

I worked with veterans for 13 years as a volunteer for Disabled American Veterans advance DAV Service Officer. When homelessness and veterans was a popular issue, there were resources everywhere. The issue is not popular anymore and the population of the homeless has grown exponentially. I don't know what is answer is anymore because of all the years I was a DAV Service Officer I saw more temporary sheltering than permanent because the funds had to be used all over to capture single veterans and veterans with families. Do you think a go-fund-me page will get much done without a systemic plan? If I were you I would seek out wisdom and collaboration from seasoned people who have been around the block. FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs,PO2 Marc Burgess,LTC Stephen F.

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made Jun 4 at 2018 5:16 AM

SSG Robert Perrotto — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 05:16:47 -0400

Without a solid plan, and transparency of where the GoFundMe funds are going, your idea is not going to fly - sorry - but that is just the way it is, too many people scam GoFundMe, and patreon etc etc - my sincere and honest advice to you - you want to make a difference, link up with your local veterans organisations, volunteer, get active and knowledgeable about future political candidates and their platforms regarding veterans - the sad plight of our vets is not something that can be solved by GoFundMe's - much as we all wish it could, but by voting, and holding those you voted for accountable for the treatment of our vets.

Response by SPC Joseph Wojcik made Jun 4 at 2018 7:41 AM

SPC Joseph Wojcik — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 07:41:31 -0400

I believe one issue is the invectiveness of our out processing process: we don't really prepare service members for life on the outside. It would also be helpful if all branches provided a certificate recognized by civilian companies for each occupational speciality, and had partnerships in related industries to provide temporary half-way jobs to new veterans (especially at these alleged "military friendly" companies).

As for the currently homeless, the "tiny house" projects seem promising, but you still have the classic problem of "you can only help people who want to be helped", and as you know our kind can be quite prideful.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Jun 4 at 2018 9:02 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 09:02:03 -0400

VA, HUD and the other Homeless Organizations state the total number of homeless Veteran numbers around 40,000 out of a Veteran population of almost 19 million. The only state that shows in excess of 10,000 Homeless Vets is California with around 11,000. So while 40,000 is too many, let's keep the discussion in real numbers. Having been around homeless organizations for a number of years, it's been my experience that the major reason for homelessness in any population is Drug and/or Alcohol abuse, the second being serious mental illnesses, often accompanied by "self medication", that make the person non-functional in normal society. The last group is estimated at around 40 percent of the homeless population. As an opinion, the number of homeless veterans have dropped simply because post Vietnam that standards for entry into the Military has raised and there is better care for those with substance abuse issues and PTSD. Remember that over 9 million of that 19 million are over the age of 65, so that puts almost have the Vets back in the Draft Army days when by necessity the standards were pretty damn low and judges often used the Military as a location to dump the local deliquents.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jun 4 at 2018 3:20 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 15:20:19 -0400

1. I think it's over 50k. 2. Many are suffering from mental issues (depression/PTSD/TBI). 3. When the economy went S, many lost their homes, families, jobs, etc. 4. It is damn hard to get our fellow Vets to seek help, cause so many were told it was unmanly to get help.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Feb 25 at 2019 3:46 PM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Mon, 25 Feb 2019 15:46:07 -0500

OK, let me be the resident cynic on this one. One. Most of estimates of homeless veterans are self identified, which in this community isn't exactly a reliable. That guy on the corner with the homeless vet sign most likely didn't get closer to Vietnam than a rerun of Platoon. Two, homeless shelters are just a symptom of the failure of the mental health system in the US. If you have worked at one, you know at least 40 percent of those using the facilities are simply incapable of functioning in normal society because of various metal illnesses, usually combined with heavy self medication, and many should be institutionalized for their own safety, but now we "protect" their rights by leaving them on the street until they do something to get put in prison. Yes, we have exchanged institutional care for prisons. The majority of the rest are just straight up substance abusers that past the point where friends and family members tolerate being abused by them any more. I been around that side of things most of my adult life and I don't even have a clue on how to help people that are at the point where they would rather live under a bridge than quit whatever their addiction of choice. My point being that most of these people are there because of choices that they will continue to make. Those families with economic emergencies, like are Sailor below, are often left out of the mix since not many want to expose their children to the typical shelter, even through they are the group most likely to be helped and return to a normal existence. There some groups that focus on these a bit more, the Salvation Army, as an example.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 28 at 2019 6:30 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 28 Oct 2019 18:30:48 -0400

I am going to make a strong assumption the homeless veterans need mental health, but that help is incumbent for them to quit drugs and alcohol.