Military Veterans
A Detailed Analysis of Homelessness among United States Military Veterans
University of Central Florida PAD 3003
7/20/2014
Abstract In the United States, homelessness among veterans is a massive epidemic that the government is currently battling. Returning from military service to no home, is a situation no one should bare. The VA has vowed to end veteran homelessness by the year 2015. To combat this issue, the government instated the Open Doors program in 2009. As of 2013 there were roughly 57,486 veterans without a home. Since 2009, the fight against homelessness has produced a massive 24 percent decrease in veteran homelessness. The open door program focuses on relocating veterans who live on the streets, in abandoned buildings …show more content…
Post-traumatic stress disorder, is a mental condition that is highly correlated with military service. The National Center for PTSD states, “PTSD occurs in 30% of Vietnam Veterans, 10% of Gulf War veterans, and 11-20% of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans”. Combat related mental disorders can cause a numerous variety of psychological effects, such as “difficulty with task completion, concentration, social communication and temper control” ("Opening doors," 2010). The above mental conditions contribute tension toward employment and steady relationships. Lack of employment and a support group, are obvious conditions that hinder one’s ability to obtain a steady home. PTSD has not been scientifically correlated to homelessness, but there is a correlation between psychological disorders and PTSD. According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, “Mental illnesses may also prevent people from forming and maintaining stable relationships or cause people to misinterpret others’ guidance and react irrationally. This often results in pushing away caregivers, family, and friends who may be the force keeping that person from becoming …show more content…
In 2009, veterans were highly over represented within the homeless community. Roughly 8 percent of the U.S population were veterans, but 12 percent of homeless were veterans. Recorded data states, “An estimated 136,334 veterans spent at least one night in an emergency shelter or transitional housing program between October 1, 2008 and September 30, 2009” ("Veteran homelessness: A," 2009). Of the 136,334 homeless veterans, 92.5 percent were male, while 7.5 percent were female. Non-Hispanic/non-Latino, represented 88.9 percent of the homeless veteran population, while Hispanic/Latino represented 11 percent. The age gap of homeless veterans, ranged from 18 to 62 years or older. Individuals between the ages of 31 to 50 were over represented, representing approximately 44 percent of all homeless veterans. Homeless veterans between the ages 18 to 30, represented 8.4 percent, thus being the age group least likely to be victimized to homelessness. According to the demographics, the typical homeless veteran in 2009, was a white male between 31 and 50 years of
University of Central Florida PAD 3003
7/20/2014
Abstract In the United States, homelessness among veterans is a massive epidemic that the government is currently battling. Returning from military service to no home, is a situation no one should bare. The VA has vowed to end veteran homelessness by the year 2015. To combat this issue, the government instated the Open Doors program in 2009. As of 2013 there were roughly 57,486 veterans without a home. Since 2009, the fight against homelessness has produced a massive 24 percent decrease in veteran homelessness. The open door program focuses on relocating veterans who live on the streets, in abandoned buildings …show more content…
Post-traumatic stress disorder, is a mental condition that is highly correlated with military service. The National Center for PTSD states, “PTSD occurs in 30% of Vietnam Veterans, 10% of Gulf War veterans, and 11-20% of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans”. Combat related mental disorders can cause a numerous variety of psychological effects, such as “difficulty with task completion, concentration, social communication and temper control” ("Opening doors," 2010). The above mental conditions contribute tension toward employment and steady relationships. Lack of employment and a support group, are obvious conditions that hinder one’s ability to obtain a steady home. PTSD has not been scientifically correlated to homelessness, but there is a correlation between psychological disorders and PTSD. According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, “Mental illnesses may also prevent people from forming and maintaining stable relationships or cause people to misinterpret others’ guidance and react irrationally. This often results in pushing away caregivers, family, and friends who may be the force keeping that person from becoming …show more content…
In 2009, veterans were highly over represented within the homeless community. Roughly 8 percent of the U.S population were veterans, but 12 percent of homeless were veterans. Recorded data states, “An estimated 136,334 veterans spent at least one night in an emergency shelter or transitional housing program between October 1, 2008 and September 30, 2009” ("Veteran homelessness: A," 2009). Of the 136,334 homeless veterans, 92.5 percent were male, while 7.5 percent were female. Non-Hispanic/non-Latino, represented 88.9 percent of the homeless veteran population, while Hispanic/Latino represented 11 percent. The age gap of homeless veterans, ranged from 18 to 62 years or older. Individuals between the ages of 31 to 50 were over represented, representing approximately 44 percent of all homeless veterans. Homeless veterans between the ages 18 to 30, represented 8.4 percent, thus being the age group least likely to be victimized to homelessness. According to the demographics, the typical homeless veteran in 2009, was a white male between 31 and 50 years of