Veterans

Far too many veterans are homeless in America: between 150,000 and 200,000 on any given night, which represents between one-fourth and one-fifth of homeless people. Three times that many veterans are housed, but are struggling with excessive rent burdens and an increased risk of homelessness. Convergent sources estimate that between 23 and 40 percent of homeless adults are veterans. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affiars estimates that over the course of the year, 336,627 veterans experience homelessness.

They are veterans of different conflicts, including World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Grenada, Panama, and Lebanon. Research indicates that those serving in late Vietnam and post-Vietnam era are at greatest risk of homelessness. Veterans returning from the current conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq often have severe disabilities that are known to be correlated with homelessness. Among these new veterans, women are more common than in the past.

Vital Mission: 2007 Data Update

This brief report provides an update to the Alliance's report, Vital Mission: Ending Homelessness among Veterans. This update utilizes data collected during 2007 about homelessness among veterans. Read More >

Vital Mission: Ending Homelessness Among Veterans

Homeless veterans can be found in every state across the country and live in rural, suburban, and urban communities. In 2006, approximately 195,827 veterans were homeless on a given night—an increase of 0.8 percent from 194,254 in 2005. More veterans experience homeless over the course of the year. We estimate that 336,627 were homeless in 2006. This report analyzes data from the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Census Bureau to examine homelessness and severe housing cost burden among veterans.
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Fact Checker: Veterans and Homelessness

Counting the number of homeless veterans and determining the causes of homelessness for veterans are difficult tasks. This fact sheet examines these questions and programs and policies in place to assist homeless veterans. Read More >

Deficiencies of Housing Policies for Veterans by Florence Roisman

This Article examines the nature and extent of housing assistance provided
by the United States government to veterans of its military service. It finds that assistance remarkably limited and inconsistent with our nation’s history and rhetoric, providing a sobering corrective for those who wish to believe that public policy in the United States progressively becomes more humane or that national declarations are matched by national performance. The Article also considers the reasons and potential cures for these inadequacies and inconsistencies. Read More >

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PODCAST VIDEO Q&A

Using HPRP to Transform Your Homelessness System

Speakers on this audio conference provided concrete steps for using HPRP to create a more effective and efficient homelessness assistance system centered on housing stability and addressed strategies for sustaining programs beyond the three years of HPRP funding. Read More >
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