Why are SO MANY veterans homeless?

[Mirielle]

I've received 3 calls in the last 2 days asking for help with homeless veterans. What I wonder is why so many are homeless.

 

[heather913]

There are a lot of reasons.

To name a few off the top of my head...

Some military jobs don't teach skills that translate well to real world jobs. So when these men get out, their skills and training are essentially useless.

Some men who join the military do so because they don't have a strong family support system. They join the military in hopes of finding a place to belong. When they return, they don't have much to return to.

There are issues with mental illness and substance abuse.

Many get out of the military without a sufficient savings account.

The list could go on and on.

My husband did 9 years in the Marine Corps and my brother just got out of the Navy after 8 years.

 

[Southernmiss]

Yea what Heather said.

I have a cousin who is homeless right now. He is living in a tent in our city. He lost everything due to drugs.

He's in his mid 50s, never in the military. But he grew up in a time a few years before I did where it seems a lot of his age group did some heavy partying--alcohol and drugs. He was also in a time before ADD and ADHD diagnosis. I think had he grown up today, he would have been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD. He is smart had a good family, lots of extended family and his parents gave him lots of opportunities. He has a sister who has done well for herself as a single woman. He had the same opportunities as she did, he just chose differently.

We have been in contact with him. He's off drugs and bicycles everywhere. He knows that this is where he needs to be right now to get his **** together and is taking it one day at a time. His sister has brought him needed supplies, etc.

All this to say that there are many homeless about his age, some prior military some not. They're not old enough for social security, but it's not easy to get a job when your not a young buck and have run out of luck and family is tired of helping or is not around any more..

 

[low-key]

her point is, their lying., never served just pulling at heart strings

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

A LOT of military jobs don't translate well over into civilian positions. There is a skill gap there, and the majority do not have much education beyond high school as many enter service directly after. The civilian world and the military world are really different, some people don't adjust well to that loss of extreme structure. Also, there are a lot of mental health issues with veterans. The military (and society) are getting better at addressing this, but there is still much more work to be done. There is a lot of stigma about getting mental help in the military (at least in my husband's field, which also has one of the highest suicide rates go figure) so people run themselves ragged until they just snap. Divorce rates are really high for military, and the entire thing is just stressful and draining. Lots of reasons.

 

[DennyCrane]

I'd say lack of mental health care is high on the list.

 

[Mokat76]

There are undoubtedly a lot of homeless veterans--men and women--for many of the reasons already stated. There is also an unfortunate bias among a lot of employers that former military people cannot successfully transition.That's utter nonsense, but it makes the job search harder.

I also question whether every sketchy homeless dude holding a sign claiming to be a veteran is one. Sadly. for some it's just an additional way to pluck at everyone's heartstrings.

 

[goofyernmost]

There are a lot of reasons.

To name a few off the top of my head...

Some military jobs don't teach skills that translate well to real world jobs. So when these men get out, their skills and training are essentially useless.

Some men who join the military do so because they don't have a strong family support system. They join the military in hopes of finding a place to belong. When they return, they don't have much to return to.

There are issues with mental illness and substance abuse.

Many get out of the military without a sufficient savings account.

The list could go on and on.

My husband did 9 years in the Marine Corps and my brother just got out of the Navy after 8 years.

I don't want to get detailed but so many of the problems that are listed are right on, but, that doesn't answer the question completely. I know from absolute experience of owning a residential care home a few years back that I usually always had beds available. Veterans were welcome and the state would have paid for their stay. The stay included possibly sharing a room with someone else, three meals a day, laundry service, medication assistance, (if needed), a warm shelter, etc.

The primary reason for so many still out in the cold had nothing to do with money or assistance that was available, but, primarily because of all those problems... alcohol became a crutch. However, in places like mine, no alcohol was allowed. So they made the choice to stay outside where no one would interfere with their steady and constant decline. Now, I know that is going to make some people mad, well I can't help that, sometimes the truth is hard to accept. I'm not blaming them, but, because of our laws, which are to protect our rights, no one can be forced to accept help unless they want too. That leaves people that are in such a deflated state that they no longer can identify what would be the best road to take. Understandable because it is the hard road to take.

I am a Vietnam veteran. I was lucky because I had a skill before going into the service and was able to build a fairly stable life, but, I know what reality is, and what I just described is reality. Many had some hard luck things happen to them, but, then didn't make many good decisions after those things happened. Oh, and by the way, if you live in an area where every corner has a "disabled Veteran" begging for money. Their condition would give them more money via Social Security alone then I have for income right now. I live in a comfortable apartment, have a car and I take vacations, eat out on occasion, go to movies and generally enjoy life with a lot less income then they have. I'm not saying not to donate to them, but, for the most part you are giving out money to support alcohol or drug abuse. There are places and organizations that are screaming to help these people and they won't accept it. Not sure how it could be pride, but, in many cases it is misplaced pride.

Again, I apologize because I know that many of you are going to go ballistic on me here. That's OK, I'm just trying to give you a little insight on what is going on out there. Say what you want about "bleeding hearts" but they are out there wanting to help and running into resistance constantly.

 

[Mirielle]

I appreciate all these replies. We're a non military family and I have no factual info regarding vets from any area of service. This is very eye opening.

 

[DennyCrane]

The many, many symptoms of mental illness and the self-medicating done by those who suffer is very sad indeed.

 

[powellrj]

I know with the group my DS served with PTSD was a big problem when they came home. He is still in contact with some of the guys and suicide is a big problem too.

 

[adisneyaunt]

Heartbreaking situation.

All Veterans deserve our support and respect!
Thank you for Your service and the Sacrifices of your family as well!

 

[PlainJane]

Well, I don't believe everyone who claims to be a veteran is one. Some people are taking advantage by pretending to be something they are not.

Beyond many of the reasons already given, the VA is a labyrinth. Once someone has acknowledged they need help it can be almost impossible to get it. I've had to call them from time to time. Frenquently when you call the hold time is so long they hang up on you. You have to just keep redialing over and over and over again.

 

[cabanafrau]

I don't want to get detailed but so many of the problems that are listed are right on, but, that doesn't answer the question completely. I know from absolute experience of owning a residential care home a few years back that I usually always had beds available. Veterans were welcome and the state would have paid for their stay. The stay included possibly sharing a room with someone else, three meals a day, laundry service, medication assistance, (if needed), a warm shelter, etc.

The primary reason for so many still out in the cold had nothing to do with money or assistance that was available, but, primarily because of all those problems... alcohol became a crutch. However, in places like mine, no alcohol was allowed. So they made the choice to stay outside where no one would interfere with their steady and constant decline. Now, I know that is going to make some people mad, well I can't help that, sometimes the truth is hard to accept. I'm not blaming them, but, because of our laws, which are to protect our rights, no one can be forced to accept help unless they want too. That leaves people that are in such a deflated state that they no longer can identify what would be the best road to take. Understandable because it is the hard road to take.

I am a Vietnam veteran. I was lucky because I had a skill before going into the service and was able to build a fairly stable life, but, I know what reality is, and what I just described is reality. Many had some hard luck things happen to them, but, then didn't make many good decisions after those things happened. Oh, and by the way, if you live in an area where every corner has a "disabled Veteran" begging for money. Their condition would give them more money via Social Security alone then I have for income right now. I live in a comfortable apartment, have a car and I take vacations, eat out on occasion, go to movies and generally enjoy life with a lot less income then they have. I'm not saying not to donate to them, but, for the most part you are giving out money to support alcohol or drug abuse. There are places and organizations the are screaming to help these people and they won't accept it. Not sure how it could be pride, but, in many cases it is misplaced pride.

Again, I apologize because I know that many of you are going to go ballistic on me here. That's OK, I'm just trying to give you a little insight on what is going on out there. Say what you want about "bleeding hearts" but they are out there wanting to help and running into resistance constantly.

The housing you describe as being available compliments of your state isn't available in all states. Here they would have to turn to homeless shelters, and do. It's common for homeless shelters to require drug/alcohol screening daily in order for someone to take shelter for the night. Unfortunately addiction is a very complex disease with a tragically common component of the addict being desperate to protect their continued using at all costs.

 

[TeresaBelle]

I don't want to get detailed but so many of the problems that are listed are right on, but, that doesn't answer the question completely. I know from absolute experience of owning a residential care home a few years back that I usually always had beds available. Veterans were welcome and the state would have paid for their stay. The stay included possibly sharing a room with someone else, three meals a day, laundry service, medication assistance, (if needed), a warm shelter, etc.

The primary reason for so many still out in the cold had nothing to do with money or assistance that was available, but, primarily because of all those problems... alcohol became a crutch. However, in places like mine, no alcohol was allowed. So they made the choice to stay outside where no one would interfere with their steady and constant decline. Now, I know that is going to make some people mad, well I can't help that, sometimes the truth is hard to accept. I'm not blaming them, but, because of our laws, which are to protect our rights, no one can be forced to accept help unless they want too. That leaves people that are in such a deflated state that they no longer can identify what would be the best road to take. Understandable because it is the hard road to take.

I am a Vietnam veteran. I was lucky because I had a skill before going into the service and was able to build a fairly stable life, but, I know what reality is, and what I just described is reality. Many had some hard luck things happen to them, but, then didn't make many good decisions after those things happened. Oh, and by the way, if you live in an area where every corner has a "disabled Veteran" begging for money. Their condition would give them more money via Social Security alone then I have for income right now. I live in a comfortable apartment, have a car and I take vacations, eat out on occasion, go to movies and generally enjoy life with a lot less income then they have. I'm not saying not to donate to them, but, for the most part you are giving out money to support alcohol or drug abuse. There are places and organizations the are screaming to help these people and they won't accept it. Not sure how it could be pride, but, in many cases it is misplaced pride.

Again, I apologize because I know that many of you are going to go ballistic on me here. That's OK, I'm just trying to give you a little insight on what is going on out there. Say what you want about "bleeding hearts" but they are out there wanting to help and running into resistance constantly.

Thank you for your service!

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Mental health and alcohol/drug addiction.

 

[Nancyg56]

I'd say lack of mental health care is high on the list.

The many, many symptoms of mental illness and the self-medicating done by those who suffer is very sad indeed.

I know with the group my DS served with PTSD was a big problem when they came home. He is still in contact with some of the guys and suicide is a big problem too.

Yes to al of the above.

When my nephew returned home after two tours in Iraq he could not stand to be enclosed. He worked for over 5 years on a crab fishing boat. Then as a framer. He has family support but can you imagine those who do not? They come home to no one, have skills that most employers have no need of, and are dealing with stresses most of us cannot imagine.

I am not sure that the number is accurate, but I have read that 25% of veterans are homeless.

And do not get me started on their healthcare.

 

[goofyernmost]

Well, I don't believe everyone who claims to be a veteran is one. Some people are taking advantage by pretending to be something they are not.

Beyond many of the reasons already given, the VA is a labyrinth. Once someone has acknowledged they need help it can be almost impossible to get it. I've had to call them from time to time. Frenquently when you call the hold time is so long they hang up on you. You have to just keep redialing over and over and over again.

I rely solely on the VA for my care and I have had nothing but superior service and attention. Like anything else there are areas where it is a problem, but, the VA has been blanketly accused of being bad, it is not. In the past I lived in a city that had huge college owned and operated medical facilities that didn't give me half the service that the VA has. It is not a problem of it being impossible to get, in this case it is the problem of people rejecting the services provided because it will cause pain to shake the habits.

The housing you describe as being available compliments of your state isn't available in all states. Here they would have to turn to homeless shelters, and do. It's common for homeless shelters to require drug/alcohol screening daily in order for someone to take shelter for the night. Unfortunately addiction is a very complex disease with a tragically common component of the addict being desperate to protect their continued using at all costs.

Well, again the homeless shelters are requiring the same thing that I did and that was sobriety. No matter what the problem the VA has either facilities or connections to help. They even reimburse for travel expense and have a scale that almost eliminates any out of pocket expense for medical care if lack of income is the issue. First one has to get them to go there and convince them that they want the help.

 

[goofyernmost]

Yes to al of the above.

When my nephew returned home after two tours in Iraq he could not stand to be enclosed. He worked for over 5 years on a crab fishing boat. Then as a framer. He has family support but can you imagine those who do not? They come home to no one, have skills that most employers have no need of, and are dealing with stresses most of us cannot imagine.

I am not sure that the number is accurate, but I have read that 25% of veterans are homeless.

And do not get me started on their healthcare.

You must have read that from a certain orange glowing leaders note pad. I don't think it would be anymore then 1% or 2% overall.
I have already addressed the incorrectness of the healthcare claim. If you don't go there and you don't ask for help you probably won't get it.

 

[Momto2minniemice]

This was hard for me to read for many reasons. Let me start by please stop referring to Vets as HE. Vets are both male and female! Females make up a good population of the military force!

Since many have talked about males I will speak for the females. If you are a homeless Female Vet there are nearly no vet shelters that are for females.
The VA was set up for males not females. They have started to turn this around slowly but have a long way to go!

Now for both genders. Many join the military at a young age for one reason or another. A Vets identity is the military, it is a way of life, you are told what to do, when do to it, and how it should be done. They live this life for years. Then one day they wake up and the brotherhood/sisterhood is gone. You must now learn how to dress, learn a civilian language, and how to function. The military has a program that teaches how to write a resume, go for an interview, and have a plan before getting out, it is REQUIRED before separating. Yet vets still struggle.

We have been at war for 15 years! Endless amount of deployments and family separations. All the training does not translate to the civilian side. A medic in the service can deploy take care of our wounded warriors yet that medic separates they can not touch a patient on the outside. They are so trained and unless they go to school will struggle to make it. The war has caused a lot of PTSD, TBIs, & invisible wounds. Band aide fixes are made yet the underlying causes are still there which leads to more problems.

There is no good simple answer to help the homeless vets.

Once you are homeless how do you fill out an application if you have no phone number, an email address, or access to a computer to fill out the application? Once you are homeless how about the clothes you need for job, a place to take a bath, a way to get to work?

Homeless Vets is a growing epidemic that is only going to get worse.