- Reaction score
- 2,555
- Points
- 1,260
Interesting, if sobering, read - highlights are mine....
Veterans and Homelessness
Libby Perl, Congressional Research Service, 31 May 07
Report (.pdf, 30 pg.)
Summary
The current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have brought renewed attention
to the needs of veterans, including the needs of homeless veterans. The Department
of Veterans Affairs (VA) estimates that it has served approximately 300 returning
veterans in its homeless programs and has identified over 1,000 more as being at risk
of homelessness. Both male and female veterans are overrepresented in the homeless
population, and as the number of veterans increases due to the current wars, there is
concern that the number of homeless veterans could rise commensurately.
Congress has created numerous programs that serve homeless veterans
specifically, almost all of which are funded through the Veterans Health
Administration. These programs provide health care and rehabilitation services for
homeless veterans (the Health Care for Homeless Veterans and Domiciliary Care for
Homeless Veterans programs), employment assistance (Homeless Veterans
Reintegration Program and Compensated Work Therapy program), transitional
housing (Grant and Per Diem and Loan Guarantee programs) as well as other
supportive services. Through an arrangement with the Department of Housing and
Urban Development (HUD), approximately 1,000 veterans currently use dedicated
Section 8 vouchers for permanent housing, with supportive services provided through
the VA. These are referred to as HUD-VASH vouchers. In FY2007, it is estimated
that approximately $270 million will be used to fund homeless veterans programs.
Several issues regarding veterans and homelessness have become prominent,
in part, because of the current conflicts. One issue is the need for permanent
supportive housing for low-income and homeless veterans. With the exception of
HUD-VASH vouchers, there is no source of permanent housing specifically for
veterans. In FY2007, the Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and Information
Technology Act (P.L. 109-461) authorized funding for additional HUD-VASH
vouchers; however, they have not been funded. In the 110th Congress, S. 1084, the
Homes for Heroes Act, would create no fewer than 20,000 HUD-VASH vouchers.
The bill would also provide funds through HUD for the acquisition, rehabilitation,
and construction of permanent supportive housing for very low-income veterans and
their families.
A second emerging issue is the concern that veterans returning from Iraq and
Afghanistan who are at risk of homelessness may not receive the services they need.
In the 110th Congress, S. 1384, a bill to amend Title 38 of the United States Code,
would institute a demonstration program in which the VA and Department of
Defense would work together to identify returning members of the armed services
who are at risk of homelessness. Another emerging issue is the needs of female
veterans, whose numbers are increasing. Women veterans face challenges that could
contribute to their risks of homelessness. They are more likely to have experienced
sexual abuse than women in the general population and are more likely than male
veterans to be single parents. Few homeless programs for veterans have the facilities
to provide separate accommodations for women and women with children.
Veterans and Homelessness
Libby Perl, Congressional Research Service, 31 May 07
Report (.pdf, 30 pg.)
Summary
The current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have brought renewed attention
to the needs of veterans, including the needs of homeless veterans. The Department
of Veterans Affairs (VA) estimates that it has served approximately 300 returning
veterans in its homeless programs and has identified over 1,000 more as being at risk
of homelessness. Both male and female veterans are overrepresented in the homeless
population, and as the number of veterans increases due to the current wars, there is
concern that the number of homeless veterans could rise commensurately.
Congress has created numerous programs that serve homeless veterans
specifically, almost all of which are funded through the Veterans Health
Administration. These programs provide health care and rehabilitation services for
homeless veterans (the Health Care for Homeless Veterans and Domiciliary Care for
Homeless Veterans programs), employment assistance (Homeless Veterans
Reintegration Program and Compensated Work Therapy program), transitional
housing (Grant and Per Diem and Loan Guarantee programs) as well as other
supportive services. Through an arrangement with the Department of Housing and
Urban Development (HUD), approximately 1,000 veterans currently use dedicated
Section 8 vouchers for permanent housing, with supportive services provided through
the VA. These are referred to as HUD-VASH vouchers. In FY2007, it is estimated
that approximately $270 million will be used to fund homeless veterans programs.
Several issues regarding veterans and homelessness have become prominent,
in part, because of the current conflicts. One issue is the need for permanent
supportive housing for low-income and homeless veterans. With the exception of
HUD-VASH vouchers, there is no source of permanent housing specifically for
veterans. In FY2007, the Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and Information
Technology Act (P.L. 109-461) authorized funding for additional HUD-VASH
vouchers; however, they have not been funded. In the 110th Congress, S. 1084, the
Homes for Heroes Act, would create no fewer than 20,000 HUD-VASH vouchers.
The bill would also provide funds through HUD for the acquisition, rehabilitation,
and construction of permanent supportive housing for very low-income veterans and
their families.
A second emerging issue is the concern that veterans returning from Iraq and
Afghanistan who are at risk of homelessness may not receive the services they need.
In the 110th Congress, S. 1384, a bill to amend Title 38 of the United States Code,
would institute a demonstration program in which the VA and Department of
Defense would work together to identify returning members of the armed services
who are at risk of homelessness. Another emerging issue is the needs of female
veterans, whose numbers are increasing. Women veterans face challenges that could
contribute to their risks of homelessness. They are more likely to have experienced
sexual abuse than women in the general population and are more likely than male
veterans to be single parents. Few homeless programs for veterans have the facilities
to provide separate accommodations for women and women with children.
