February 3, 2009
Homeless Veterans: Overview of Homelessness
About one-third of the adult homeless population have served their country in the Armed Services. Current population estimates suggest that about 154,000 veterans (male and female) are homeless on any given night and perhaps twice as many experience homelessness at some point during the course of a year. Many other veterans are considered near homeless or at risk because of their poverty, lack of support from family and friends, and dismal living conditions in cheap hotels or in overcrowded or substandard housing.
Right now, the number of homeless male and female Vietnam era veterans is greater than the number of service persons who died during that war -- and a small number of Desert Storm veterans are also appearing in the homeless population. Atlthough many homeless veterans served in combat in Vietnam and suffer from PTSD, at this time, epidemiologic studies do not suggest that there is a causal connection between military service, service in Vietnam, or exposure to combat and homelessness among veterans. Family background, access to support from family and friends, and various personal characteristics (rather than military service) seem to be the stronger indicators of risk of homelessness.
Almost all homeless veterans are male (about three percent are women), the vast majority are single, and most come from poor, disadvantaged backgrounds. Homeless veterans tend to be older and more educated than homeless non-veterans. But similar to the general population of homeless adult males, about 45% of homeless veterans suffer from mental illness and (with considerable overlap) slightly more than 70% suffer from alcohol or other drug abuse problems. Roughly 56% are African American or Hispanic.
Right now, the number of homeless male and female Vietnam era veterans is greater than the number of service persons who died during that war -- and a small number of Desert Storm veterans are also appearing in the homeless population. Atlthough many homeless veterans served in combat in Vietnam and suffer from PTSD, at this time, epidemiologic studies do not suggest that there is a causal connection between military service, service in Vietnam, or exposure to combat and homelessness among veterans. Family background, access to support from family and friends, and various personal characteristics (rather than military service) seem to be the stronger indicators of risk of homelessness.
Almost all homeless veterans are male (about three percent are women), the vast majority are single, and most come from poor, disadvantaged backgrounds. Homeless veterans tend to be older and more educated than homeless non-veterans. But similar to the general population of homeless adult males, about 45% of homeless veterans suffer from mental illness and (with considerable overlap) slightly more than 70% suffer from alcohol or other drug abuse problems. Roughly 56% are African American or Hispanic.
Other Items in Information & Education:
| Operation Bear Hug: CARE-NET Supports Children of WV Deployed Troops September 7, 2010 |
| ‘Adjustment disorder’ discharges beg explanation August 18, 2010 |
| Overmedication contributes to military suicides, advocates say August 17, 2010 |
 | A Veteran's Journey Through Coping with PTSD May 14, 2010 |
 | The Virtual Wall: Vietnam Veterans Memorial March 21, 2010 |
 | West Virginia Division of Veterans Affairs (Administrative, Claims, Field Offices, Veterans Home & Nursing Facility) March 2, 2010 |
 | Honor The Fallen - Honoring those who fought and died in Iraq and Afghanistan - MilitaryTimes.com February 24, 2010 |
 | Resources for Troops & Veterans, Their Families, & Those Who Provide Services To Them February 10, 2010 |
 | AFRICAN-AMERICAN MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS February 2, 2010 |
 | Chairman Marks National Guard's 373rd Birthday December 14, 2009 |
 | Counseling Options of Military OneSource November 17, 2009 |
 | "Lest We Forget" November 9, 2009 |
 | Senator John D. Rockefeller IV and Assistant Secretary Tammy Duckworth at the annual CARE-NET conference August 17, 2009 |
| VA is changing, assistant secretary tells local group August 10, 2009 |
 | SENATOR ROCKEFELLER ANNOUNCES TAMMY DUCKWORTH COMING TO WEST VIRGINIA July 13, 2009 |
 | Annual Conference "Stop the Stigma Associated with Mental Health Services" July 10, 2009 |
| Ministry, Mental Illness, and Communities of Faith March 9, 2009 |
 | Women Veterans Affairs 25 Most Frequently Asked Questions with Responses December 2, 2008 |
 | Meaning of Flag Draped Coffin September 2, 2008 |
 | PowerPoint Presentation from Govenor's Conference June 11, 2008 |
 | April is the month of the military child March 31, 2008 |
 | Homeless Veterans November 19, 2007 |