Homeless Veterans: A Growing Concern

Homeless Veterans: A Growing Concern

Signing up for the Armed Services takes tremendous bravery and self-sacrifice. Men and women alike voluntarily and courageously risk their own lives to protect us and our freedoms, which begs the question: Why don’t we take better care of our veterans when they return home?

After overcoming the obstacles of being in the military, basic living necessities are sometimes a struggle to achieve. In the United States 9 percent of the homeless population are veterans. In Oregon alone, there are 1,467 total homeless veterans; with a staggering 47 percent of those veterans unsheltered.

On any given night there are 75,000 or more homeless veterans on the streets. About twice that amount will experience homelessness at some point during the year — all of which after selflessly putting their lives on the line in the name of protecting America’s freedoms.

There have been positive strides by the Government among homeless veterans. Since President Obama’s initiative to end homelessness among veterans, homelessness is down 33 percent in Oregon (one of the highest in the nation). But sadly it hasn’t gone far enough.

For instance, in Portland 422 veterans remain homeless. In Multnomah County 11 percent of the entire homeless population are veterans. Multnomah County opened a homeless shelter in Bud Clark Commons, and it currently houses 45 veterans. But once again, it doesn’t go far enough. All 45 veterans at Bud Clark Commons Shelter are men.

There are 156 homeless veterans in Oregon who are women and six transgender veterans. Shockingly and sadly, 40 percent of homeless veterans were chronically homeless. Chronically homeless makeup 62 percent of the unsheltered homeless population.

There has been some progress, and over the past two years there has been a decrease in unsheltered veterans. The problem is that without a long-term solution, chronically homeless veterans will have nowhere to transition to.

Aside from an emergency shelter for the night and a hot meal, there is no long-term solution for permanent housing, and that is exactly what the underlying problem is. Without permanent housing, the homeless population is susceptible to other risks that come without resolving these issues.

There is no doubt that healthcare has been a hot button topic in our society as of late, and the issue of homeless veterans falls right in line with the issue of health care.

Although veterans may be able to receive certain procedures and checkups through the VA, still many rely on OHP and Medicaid for treatment. But being homeless is the main risk to a person’s health. In fact, among hospital admittance, homeless patients are admitted twice as long as housed patients, with more than half being readmitted within 30 days.

Homeless patients also visit the hospital 12 times more than people who have low incomes.

Another major issue associated with homeless veterans is suicide. Male veterans were approximately twice the risk for suicide than non-male veterans, and 90 percent of homeless veterans are men. But all veterans are at risk; among veterans receiving care from the VA, suicide risk for men and women combined across all age groups was estimated to be about 66 percent higher than that observed in the general population.

Twenty-two veterans commit suicide every day; that’s one every 65 minutes.

For male veterans the risk for suicide in age groups 50 to 70 was 56 to 108 percent greater than that of the general population. Sadly, 20 percent of homeless veterans are 55 and older, making them a higher risk for suicide.

Veterans need to be protected the way they’ve so prudently protected us. But there is hope.

With long term solutions and only with long term solutions, we can overcome this escapable epidemic and solve homelessness for our brave veterans.

These individuals have sacrificed their own safety and often times their own mental health, they deserve to have basic necessities like reliable, safe housing.

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