A Troubling Trend: The Plight Of Homeless Iraq And Afghanistan Veterans

The number of homeless veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars is difficult to determine, but it is a significant issue. The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) estimates that 40,056 veterans are homeless on any given night, with twice that number experiencing homelessness over the course of a year. This is a worrying trend, as veterans only make up 7% of the general population, but nearly 13% of the homeless adult population.

The number of homeless veterans has decreased by about 50% since 2009, according to HUD's Annual Homelessness Assessment Report to Congress. However, the number of homeless Iraq and Afghanistan veterans was estimated to be nearly 50,000 in 2013, almost triple the number in 2011. This is a concerning rise, and it is believed to be linked to multiple deployments, a struggling economy, and issues with mental health, such as PTSD.

There are many factors that contribute to veteran homelessness. These include a lack of affordable housing, decent-paying jobs, and access to healthcare. Many veterans also suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance abuse, and their military training is not always useful for finding civilian employment.

To address this issue, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) spends $300 million annually to help get veterans off the streets or prevent them from becoming homeless. They provide a range of services, including mediation with property owners, assistance with rent and utilities, and moving expenses.

The number of homeless Iraq and Afghanistan veterans is rising

The number of US veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless is increasing at an alarming rate. While there are no exact figures, estimates suggest that the number has more than doubled over the past two years, with up to 50,000 veterans affected. This is despite efforts by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to tackle the issue, which has seen the overall number of homeless veterans decline in recent years.

Factors contributing to veteran homelessness

There are several factors that contribute to the high level of homelessness among veterans. These include a lack of affordable housing, decent-paying jobs, and adequate access to healthcare. Many veterans also suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance abuse, and the training they receive in the military does not always translate into civilian employment.

The impact of gender and age

The risk of homelessness among veterans is influenced by gender and age. Among male veterans, the risk increases with age up to 65, while among women, the younger age groups have the highest risk. Women veterans are also more likely to use non-VA, community-based homeless services, as VA services often lack female-specific support.

The role of financial mismanagement

Financial mismanagement has been identified as a significant contributor to veteran homelessness. A study found that 30% of veterans reported money mismanagement, and those who did so were four times more likely to become homeless within the next year. This highlights the need for financial education and support to help veterans achieve financial stability after military service.

Addressing veteran homelessness

To address the rising number of homeless Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, it is crucial to continue funding homeless housing and services. Additionally, preventive services that identify and assist at-risk veterans can play a crucial role in mitigating homelessness. Efforts to improve access to mental health treatment and support for issues like PTSD can also help reduce the risk of homelessness.

There are federal programs aimed at reducing veteran homelessness

There are several federal programs aimed at reducing veteran homelessness. Here are some of the key initiatives:

• The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has a range of specialized programs to help homeless veterans, including the Homeless Grant and Per Diem Program, the Substance Use Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program, and the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Residential Rehabilitation and Treatment Program.
• The VA also offers Domiciliary Residential Rehabilitation and Treatment Programs, which provide residential care and a structured setting to foster veterans' independence and mutual support.
• The Homeless Veteran Community Employment Services (HVCES) program provides funding for each VA Medical Center (VAMC) to hire vocational development specialists, who work as Community Employment Coordinators (CECs) to improve employment outcomes for homeless veterans.
• The Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) program assists homeless veterans in returning to competitive employment, paying them at least the federal or state minimum wage.
• The Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) program offers outreach, case management, and residential treatment services to help veterans transition from living on the street or in institutions to stable housing.
• The Homeless Patient Aligned Care Teams (HPACTs) program provides a coordinated "medical home" tailored to the needs of homeless veterans, integrating clinical care, social services, enhanced access, and community coordination.
• The Justice- and Reentry-Related Services initiative includes the Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) and Health Care for Reentry Veterans (HCRV) Programs, which aim to prevent homelessness by helping justice-involved veterans access needed VA clinical services and easing their transition from prison back into the community.
• The Community Resource and Referral Centers (CRRCs) provide veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness with one-stop access to community-based, multi-agency services, including housing, health and mental health care, career development, and access to VA and non-VA benefits.
• The US Department of Labor's Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program (HVRP) is an employment-focused grant program that provides job training, counseling, and placement services to help homeless veterans reintegrate into the labor force.
• The Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program provides case management and supportive services to prevent veteran homelessness and rapidly re-house those who are already homeless.
• The Grant and Per Diem (GPD) program provides capital grants and per diem payments to state, local, and tribal governments and nonprofits to develop and operate transitional housing and/or service centers for homeless veterans.

Veterans are overrepresented in the homeless population

Risk factors for veteran homelessness

Several risk factors have been identified for veteran homelessness. The strongest and most consistent risk factors are substance use disorders and mental illness, followed by low income and other income-related factors. There is also some evidence that social isolation, adverse childhood experiences, and past incarceration are important risk factors.

Substance use disorders and mental illness

Substance use disorders and mental illness are the strongest and most consistent risk factors for veteran homelessness. In particular, psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia and alcohol and drug use disorders are found to be associated with homelessness. This is consistent with research on homelessness in the general population, where schizophrenia and bipolar disorder have been found to have the greatest impact on the risk for homelessness at the individual level, and substance abuse has been found to have the greatest impact at the population level.

PTSD, which is more prevalent in the veteran population than the general population, was not found to be a particularly important risk factor relative to other mental disorders. Similarly, combat exposure, at least among Vietnam era veterans, was not found to be associated with increased risk for homelessness, perhaps because such veterans are more likely to receive VA compensation, pension, and health benefits.

Low income and other income-related factors

Another robust risk factor is low income and income-related variables, such as military pay grade and unemployment. This finding is not surprising as homeless individuals, almost by definition, are impoverished and deprived of economic resources. Access to a VA service-connected disability payment was found to be a protective factor against homelessness.

Social isolation

Several studies indicated that lack of support from family and friends, weak social support networks, and social isolation are related to veteran homelessness. It is not clear whether veterans are particularly susceptible to this risk factor given the nature of military service (e.g., deployments and transfers, on-base housing). However, the beneficial and protective effects of social support on stress, health, and overall functioning are well documented in the general population as well as in the veteran population.

Adverse childhood experiences

Adverse childhood experiences and other premilitary factors may also set a pathway toward poverty and homelessness. Several studies have found that many homeless veterans report childhood behavioural problems, family instability, placement in foster care, and childhood trauma and abuse.

Incarceration

A strong association was found between incarceration and homelessness in veterans in one study. Although the directionality of this relation is unclear, it is generally supportive of criminal history's being a risk factor for homelessness.

Other risk factors

Other risk factors that deserve mention include problematic military discharges and low military pay grade.

PTSD and substance abuse are factors behind veteran homelessness

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) estimates that 40,056 veterans are homeless on any given night. Over the course of a year, approximately twice that number experience homelessness. While veterans constitute 7% of the general population, they make up 13% of the homeless adult population.

PTSD and Substance Abuse

PTSD and substance abuse are two of the strongest and most consistent risk factors for veteran homelessness. The prevalence of PTSD among veterans is high, with more than 2 out of 10 veterans suffering from the condition.

Combat exposure and PTSD do not seem to play a distinctively strong role in veteran homelessness, perhaps because veterans with these issues have special access to VA services designed to meet their needs. However, PTSD may create sleep problems and feelings of "numbness", anger, irritability, or depression, which can get worse when using drugs and alcohol.

Substance abuse problems appear to be the risk factor with the greatest magnitude of effect. One study found that 67% of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans who were placed into VA supportive housing had high levels of PTSD diagnosis.

Other Factors

Other factors contributing to veteran homelessness include:

• Low income and income-related variables, such as military pay grade and unemployment.
• Lack of social support.
• Incarceration.
• Adverse childhood experiences.
• Problematic military discharges.
• Lack of affordable housing.
• Lack of decent-paying jobs.
• Inadequate access to healthcare.
• Lack of family and social support networks.
• Military occupations and training are not always transferable to the civilian workforce.

Financial mismanagement is linked to veteran homelessness

The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has been working to reduce veteran homelessness since 2009, and the number of homeless veterans has decreased by about 50% since then. However, financial illiteracy could be a trigger for veteran homelessness.

Financial mismanagement and veteran homelessness

A study by researchers at the University of North Carolina, the Durham VA Medical Center, and Duke University found that 30% of Iraq and Afghanistan war era veterans had gone over their credit limit, bounced or forged a check, been reported to a collection agency, or fallen victim to a money scam in the past year. The researchers concluded that money mismanagement, along with arrest history, mental health diagnosis, and income, were associated with homelessness in the following year.

Financial education for veterans

The findings of the study have implications for policymakers and clinicians, suggesting that financial education programs offered by the US Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs may be targeted to effectively address veteran homelessness.

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