Homeless Veterans

     About 40% of homeless men are veterans, although veterans comprise only 34% of the general adult male population (NCH). Contrary to popular belief, Vietnam veterans do not make up most of the homeless veteran population.  Research has shown that those who served late in theVietnamWar, and after, have a greater risk of becoming homeless.  These veterans have not been exposed to a lot of combat, but seem to have increased mental illnesses and addiction disorders.  This could be due to recruitment patterns.

     Females make up about 1.6% of homeless veterans (NCH).  More of them are, or were, married, and most of them have serious mental illness.  Not many of them have jobs, or addiction disorders.
     Black non-veterans are 2.9 times as likely to be homeless that white non-veterans; Black veterans, on the other hand, are 1.4 times as likely to be homeless than white veterans (NCH).  Being a veteran can reduce vulnerability to becoming homeless among Black Americans.

     The greatest unmet needs of homeless veterans are long-term, permanent housing, dental and eye care, and childcare.  But the other needs of veterans are not unlike those of other homeless people.
     The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides two programs for the homeless veterans: the Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans program (DCHV) and the Health Care for Homeless Veterans program (HCHV).  These programs give out residential treatments, psychosocial assessments, and referrals.  Research shows that these programs really help the veterans and have improved their housing, mental status, and employment.

Elks National Veterans Service Comission - www.elks.org/vets/