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Combatting the Road to Veteran Homelessness

Janiyah N. Bridges

First Colonial High School

Legal Studies Academy

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Abstract

This paper analyzes the many contributing factors to homelessness among veterans. Throughout

the paper the author highlights obstacles and challenges veterans face that are involved with

veteran homelessness. The author also calls to attention the contributions of the Department of

Veteran Affairs, along with other programs that are supposed to allocate their resources toward

homeless veterans.
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Combatting the Road to Veteran Homelessness

It is said that veterans are 50% more likely to become homeless than other Americans.

On average homeless veterans spend about 6 years homeless compared to a homeless

non-veteran who averages about 4 years of homelessness. The matter of veteran homelessness is

a problem that continues to grow. These people are not only without proper housing, but they are

also left trying just to simply survive day to day with the absence of safety and security. There

are multiple reasons why veterans face homelessness. Research conducted by Joseph Miranda

has shown that there are multiple components that are needed to help provide homeless veterans

with the proper care. Veterans are sometimes given the opportunity to enroll in a housing support

group that is provided through the VA. There have been mixed reviews upon the success of these

support groups, but on an overall scale, support groups that provide adequate resources for these

veterans have proven to have some sort of impact on their lives (Moranda, 2020). Whether that

be introducing them with job opportunities, providing proper medical attention, or even a proper

mental health examination. These programs allow for change in these veteran’s lives. The

increased possibility of homelessness among veterans creates an evolving problem for not only

veterans themselves, but also the VA who is unequipped to provide for even half the amount of

veterans that end up on the streets.

Obstacles They Face Before Homelessness

As previously mentioned veterans are 50% more likely to become homeless than another

average citizen. A Lot of veterans are unfortunately victims of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

(PTSD). Along with combating PTSD, these veterans could also be dealing with a multitude of

other mental and physical illnesses. These challenges often cause veterans to isolate themselves.
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Along with social isolation, lack of support for the veteran can be an obstacle that leads them to a

road of homelessness. A lot of veterans are unaware of the different programs that they are

eligible for. There are programs and opportunities that are being missed everyday that could be

the support that would could a veteran from becoming homeless. Lots of veterans are unaware of

the assistance that they are able to receive. A small amount of support could be that stepping

stone to keeping another veteran off the street. Social isolation and lack of support are two main

reasons why veterans fall susceptible to homelessness.

Clinical Needs

According to J. Tsai (2012), veteran homelessnes has been a national concern for the past

several years. In the article, “Homeless Veterans Who Served in Iraq and Afghanistan: Gender

Differences, Combat Exposure, and Comparisons with Previous Cohorts of Homeless Veterans”,

the author, Jack Tsai, brings up the issue that there is little to no understanding of the underlying

issues that are involved with veterans ending up homeless. When researching this topic in prior

years, the main focus would normally be white males in their late 40’s. It was best for their

perspective to be broadened, so the researchers pointed their attention to the clinical needs of all

homeless veterans who have served in Iraq. They studied the clinical needs of these veterans and

compared findings of past research of homeless veterans. During their research they found a

correlation between combat exposure among veterans and severe mental illness. In order to get a

better understanding they compared data from another Veteran Housing Program. The two main

factors found during their research and comparison of data were issues relating to substance

abuse and mental illness. Veterans that are diagnosed with mental illness are often given

medication to tone down the problem. The problem then becomes controlling the urge of
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substance abuse. Throwing medication at the problem is not a permanent solution. This is also

the case with lots of veterans who suffer combat related injuries. These soldiers need some sort

of support rather than just a prescription. Ending veteran homelessness is obviously a major

concern for the Department of Veterans Affairs, although it is very difficult because the

necessities of these veterans vary based on their clinical needs (Tsai et al.,2012).

Mental Illness/Diseases

A lot of veterans suffer from mental illnesses and disorders, such as Posttraumatic Stress

Disorder (PTSD). It is said that when these veterans end up homeless, that are at even higher risk

for Co-occurring disorders (COD). A study was conducted by Kele Ding, Matthew Slate, and

Jingzhen Yang, in order to either corroborate or contradict these findings. In the study that was

conducted, all subjects were homeless male veterans. They were all admitted into a transitional

housing program which allowed them to be studied, while they were provided with therapeutic

intervention. 76% of the participating subjects had at least one diagnosed COD, which includes

mental illness (PTSD, Depression, Bipolar, Insomnia, Anxiety, etc.) as well as drug and alcohol

abuse. In the conclusion of the study, data results found were higher than those of the

Department of Veteran Affairs (Ding, et al., 2018). This study shows that mental

illnesses/diseases play a big role in veteran homelessness.

Bills Being Introduced

Improving Access to Homes for Heroes Act of 2021, this law sets in place a requirement

that veterans are included in housing planning and that there is a reported record of veteran

housing assistance (Improving Access to Homes for Heroes Act of 2021). New legislation being

passed is helping to lower the number of veterans without proper housing and care. The goal is
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that no one, especially someone that has served our country, should be left homeless. This bill

requires that we put emphasis on the “veterans” rather than just grouping them with all homeless

people (Improving Access to Homes for Heroes Act of 2021).

Negligence of the VA

The Department of Veterans Affairs negligence to provide proper housing for veterans

experiencing a multitude of different disorders and issues, leading them to homelessness was the

primary cause for a class-action lawsuit against the Department. This lawsuit was a stepping

stone for a request that the Department of Veterans Affairs uses empty buildings throughout the

West Los Angeles Medical Center campus in order to provide housing for veterans that suffer an

abundance of different diseases and disorders, such as Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. In late

2013, the court ruled that the Department of Veterans Affairs was required to designate portions

of their West Los Angeles Campus to serve veterans in need. The goal was to raise awareness

nationally and slowly ensure that the Department of Veterans Affairs is allocating all available

resources to assisting veterans that are in need of help. It is said that the Department of Veteran

Affairs only reaches about roughly 20% of all homeless veterans.

Conclusion

Homelessness is not an issue that can be cured all together, although with consideration

of many contributing factors there may be the possibility of a drastic cut in homelessness for

veterans. It has been established that the Department of Veterans Affairs is not even currently

capable of assisting half of the homeless veteran population. Although with reallocation of some

funding and the constant awareness of the programs that are available, more of the homeless

veterans population might be able to be accounted for.

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References

Allow the VA to provide legal aid for homeless vets. (2020, March 31). American Bar

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Ding, K., Slate, M., & Yang, J. (2018). History of co-occurring disorders and current mental

health status among homeless veterans. BMC Public Health, 18(1).

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Improving Access to Homes for Heroes Act of 2021, H.R. 165, 117th Cong., 1st Sess. (as

introduced, Jan. 4, 2021). http://doi.org/10.21061/jvs.v6i1.168

Moranda, J. M. (2020). Homeless Veterans: It Takes a Community. Journal of Veterans Studies,

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U.S Department of Veteran Affairs. (2019, October 10). How to help homeless veterans [TV

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ngor_HOn5A&feature=emb_logo

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Vogel, S. (2011, June 8). Lawsuit ties VA to plight of homeless veterans. Washington Post.

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