There recently was a time heroes returning home in flag draped
coffins were denied dignity and respect. The public was not allowed to view,
through photographs, the riveting and thought provoking images of somber
solders in white gloves lifting a casket from the cargo area of planes as part
of a heroes’ final journey home. As a veteran my heart breaks and I cry for
every lost brother and sister. While the proper decorum has returned to such
circumstances there are still reprehensible circumstances occurring daily
regarding our former guardians. Currently there are approximately 107,000
veterans who live, eat, and sleep on the streets of America. (National Coalition for Homeless Veterans,
[NCHV] 2010).
Homeless Veterans
between the ages of 18 and 30, likely those veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom
and Operation Enduring Freedom, are almost twice as likely to be homeless than
to be in the U.S. adult population. During 2009, more than 11,300 younger
veterans used a shelter. This may reflect the support available for returning
veterans as they exit the war zones. The risk ratio to become homeless is high
and the lag time between becoming a veteran and experiencing homelessness is
unclear. For this reason the number of
homeless veterans may increase in the future.
It has been determined
there are many differences between homeless veterans and homeless
non-veterans. When comparing the two
groups distinction can be seen in sex, age, substance abuse, education levels,
psychiatric illness, length of homelessness and even economic statues before
entering the military. Unique
circumstances such as combat exposure, post-traumatic-stress-disorder (PTSD)
may also have and indirect effect on veterans since they are associated with
social isolation. These circumstances
can result in psychiatric hospitalization increasing the risk of unemployment
or homelessness. (Office of Community Planning and Development [OCPD]; National
Center on Homelessness Among Veterans [NCHAV] U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development [HUD]; U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs [VA], 2009).
Some distinct
differences are observed. A study
showed that female veterans are three to four times more likely to become
homeless than those who are not veterans.
Another study showed 61 percent of female homeless veterans are disabled
with 27 percent of those being service connected. One in four is unemployed and those who are
employed generally make less the $20,000 per year. More than half suffered military sexual
trauma, 58 percent have poor or fair health. All of the women in the study used
Veterans Administration health care, however, they additionally needed dental
care, mental health treatment and permanent housing. It is estimated there are currently 1,600
homeless female veterans. (Wilborn, 2010)
Normally homeless
veterans are individuals and not families.
The small number of those who are considered families are usually women
(59 percent) and not disabled.
Frequently the other families have two parents unlike non-veteran
homeless families. While these families
are typically inclined to be middle class once they become impoverished they
are a higher risk of becoming homeless.
(OCPD et, al, 2009). A Housing
and Urban Development Study found there are 1.3 million veterans living in
poverty and that at least one in 10 of them became homeless during 2009. (Wilborn,2010).
There can be no end to
this travesty until we, as a nation, stand together and address the needs of
those who have guarded all the things we hold so dear. “We the People” owe them everything we have,
are you willing to turn your back on them?
The time for complacency has passed. Henry Emerson Fosdick said “He who
chooses the beginning of the road chooses the place it leads to. It is the
means that determines the end”
No one is willing to
stand in a crowded room and shout “I want MORE taxes please”. Nor, are many of
us trusting that if governmental programs were created funding would be
appropriately spent. So when the words “spending” or “funding” or “new” are
heard from Capitol Hill there is almost and audible groan from sea to shining
sea. It was no different when the
current administration announced plans to establish programs through the Veterans
Administration (VA) and U.S. Department of Labor and Housing and Urban
Development (HUD), with the goal being to end veteran homelessness by 2015, was
announced.
What many Americans are
not aware of is the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the
Veterans Administration and the U.S. Department of Labor have already been
working together for the last five years to provide transitional housing and
services for more than 100,00 veterans each year. This has changed the number of homeless veterans
sleeping on the streets of America from 250,000 in fiscal year 2004, to 107,000
today. (NCHV, 2009).
It is a continuation
of these efforts that the VA budgeted $3.5 billion dollars in 2010, to be used
over a 5 year period and proposed a $4.2 billion in 2011. The programs will track such things as the
numbers of homeless veterans and their needs, determine local priorities, and
the trends it needs to address. The health care program would identify those
who needed psychiatric or substance abuse and have contracts with local facilities
for such short term treatments. (Wilborn, 2010).
In the 111th
Congress (2010) two bills regarding this program were introduced to the house
and the Senate. In the house bill H.R.
4810 (End Veteran Homelessness Act of 2010) which would cost each adult
American $3 between 2010 and 2015. S, 1237 (Homeless Veterans and Other
Veterans Care Authorities Act of 2010).
H.R. 4810 (End Veteran
Homeless Act of 2010) would provide the following:
·
Grant and Per Diem at
$200 million in fiscal year 2010.
·
Participating Veteran
Administration Medical Centers (VAMC) employ at least one Housing Urban
Development-Veterans Administrative Supportive Housing Program (HUD-VASH)
out-reach specialist;
·
Coordinates assistance
for homeless veterans through HUD’s Homelessness Prevention and Rapid
Re-Housing Program. (HPRP). (House Bill 4810)
S 1237 ( Homeless
Veterans and Other Veterans Health Care Authorities Act of 2010) would provide
·
$200 million in fiscal
year 2010 and such necessary funds through fiscal year 2014.
·
Allows VA Secretary one
year to study reimbursement rate.
·
Permits grants to be
used for construction of new facilities.
·
Expands special needs
grants by including males with children, allowing dependents to directly
receive services.
·
Builds out HUD-VASH to
60,000 vouchers by fiscal year 2013.
·
Establishes a Special
Assistant for Veterans Affairs within HUD.
·
$50 million through
fiscal year 2014 to prevent Veteran homelessness.
·
$10 million through
fiscal year 2014 for reintegration of homeless women veteran (includes job
training, counseling, placement services and child care.
·
Establishes a method for
data collection and aggregation of homeless veterans participating in VA and
HUD programs.
·
Directs VA secretary to
submit a comprehensive plan to end vet homelessness to Congress within one
year. (S 1237)
Because these bills were not approved
during the 111th Congress they will have to be rewritten and/or
reintroduced. Despite the setback some of the provisions have been enacted.
There are new registries, a Special Needs Assistance Program Director for HUD
has been announced, nearly 4,300 points of contacts have been established for
homeless veterans including VA medical centers, community outreach centers,
outpatient clinics and counseling centers.
Wouldn’t you know it though, before new
legislation has even been introduced, there has already been a “pay cut”. The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans
announced on March 1, 2011, that the U.S. House of representatives passed an
act that would eliminate $75 million dollars for approximately 60,000 new
supportive housing vouchers for chronically homeless veterans in fiscal year
2011. These are the same vouchers used
in the collaborative efforts between the Department of Labor, Housing and Urban
Development, and the Veterans Administration which has assisted thousands of
Veterans in moving off the streets.
Politicans could not manage being cold,
hungry, looking over their shoulder just to make sure they are safe. It would
take fortitude to find something to eat, aptitude to adjust to little clothing
and lesser warmth at night. They will
never be honest and admit they can’t and don’t understand the plight of the
homeless because they haven’t been there, or anywhere close. They don’t understand PTSD, addiction, or
mental illness. They can’t fathom the idea of living in a car, under a bridge,
in an abandoned building and resorting to
“any means necessary” to survive is inconceivable to them. Selling or
running drugs, stealing or selling yourself just to get your next meal is
unfathomable to their flawed minds.
These are the men and women who have dinners
at places where food is $250 per plate.
These are men and women who buy gowns that cost thousands of dollars and
wear them only once. These are men and
women who raise millions of dollars to get elected and then claim they are just
like you, they understand you, and they represent you. Excuse me while I laugh.
It is the same people that have taken housing
from these “guardians of your liberties” and allocated money you pay every year
to their pet projects, those who donate to their campaigns, dinner at those
high priced plates, and those who lobby the hardest for something they want.
It is our responsibility to be the voice
for the men and women who truly served this country not just provided lip
service. We are obligated to lobby on
their behalf by speaking up and telling those who sit on Capitol Hill we refuse
to allow this reprehensible circumstance continue.
It doesn’t require travel. It doesn’t require money. Well, maybe a
stamp, opening your email, or making a telephone call. Don’t think “awh, someone else will do it”
because then our voice becomes only a whisper.
We need to be Loud and we need to be Strong. Washington should hear all Americans when we
say: “This should be a priority when you budget OUR money! Reprioritize
and send the message to us all, “ I serve those who have served me, I no longer
serve myself!”
H.Res. 4810,111th Cong., 111Cong.Rec.111-449 (2010)
Referred to Committee on Veterans Affairs
National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans. (2009) Veteran
Homelessness: A Supplemental Report to the 2009 Annual Homeless Assessment
Report to Congress. (First Supplemental) [Adobe Reader Version]. Retrieved from http://www.hudhre.info/documents/2009AHARVeteransReports.pdf
National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. (2010). Testimony
before the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Retrieved from
website://httpwww.nchv.org/content.cfm?id=92
National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (2011) House Cuts
10,000 New Housing Vouchers for Homeless Veterans in FY 2011. Retrieved
from http://www.nchv.org/news_article.cfm?id=869
Office on Community Planning and Development. (2009) Veteran
Homelessness: A Supplemental Report to the 2009 Annual Homeless Assessment
Report to Congress. (First Supplemental) [Adobe Reader Version]. Retrieved from http://www.hudhre.info/documents/2009AHARVeteransReports.pdf
S.1237.111th Cong.,Cong.Rec.D60 (2010) Business
Meeting, Homeless Veterans and Other Veterans Health Care Authorities Act of
2010
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (2009) Veteran
Homelessness: A Supplemental Report to the 2009 Annual Homeless Assessment
Report to Congress. (First Supplemental) [Adobe Reader Version]. Retrieved from http://www.hudhre.info/documents/2009AHARVeteransReports.pdf
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (2009) Veteran
Homelessness: A Supplemental Report to the 2009 Annual Homeless Assessment
Report to Congress. (First Supplemental) [Adobe Reader Version]. Retrieved from http://www.hudhre.info/documents/2009AHARVeteransReports.pdf
Wilborn, T. (2010, Jan. Feb) Homeless Veterans. Disabled
American Veterans (DAV) 14-15
AUTHOR: GEM's Sparkle
No comments:
Post a Comment