Guest Author - Gary King
Statistics & Studies: Homeless Veterans Survey - October, 1997
Association of Gospel Rescue Missions
More Than 40 Percent of Homeless Vets Served in Vietnam - Rescue Mission Survey
Gulf War Vets Already Account for Ten Percent
Nearly two-thirds of the U.S. veterans seeking shelter in America's Rescue Missions served in Korea, Vietnam or the Persian Gulf, according to a nationwide survey released in 1997 by the International Union of Gospel Missions (IUGM). Vietnam veterans account for 42 percent, followed by Korean War veterans with 10 percent and Gulf War vets with 10 percent.
The survey of more than 1,200 veterans was conducted in late October, 1997 by 58 Rescue missions around the nation. The veterans survey was part of IUGM's annual survey of America's homeless. Missions interviewed more than 11,000 men; of these, 32 percent were found to be veterans.
"America's armed forces have a deservedly honored place in our country," said Rev. Stephen E. Burger, Executive Director of the Kansas City-based IUGM. "Unfortunately, the evidence is clear that many veterans who served our nation honorably have had difficulty making the transition to civilian life. In particular, veterans who served in conflicts are far more likely to be living at our Rescue Missions."
"I'm shocked and saddened, but not really surprised at the figure for Vietnam vets," said Rev. Duane Gartland, a partially disabled Vietnam combat veteran, who runs Pittsburgh's Light of Life Ministry with his brother Dennis, also a Vietnam veteran. "Vietnam put many wonderful kids through a grinder. Now they're adults and they depend on our Rescue missions."
Another finding of the study shows that the vast majority of veterans at Rescue missions served in the Armed Forces for at least three years. Only 25 percent served two or fewer years. The years-of-service breakdown is as follows:
3-4 years service: 44 percent; 5-6 years service: 15 percent; 7-9 years service: 7 percent; 10 or more years: 9 percent. "We're caring for men and women who have spent considerable time in the service," said Rev. Burger. "It shows that despite all the training and discipline, there are still many who simply cannot cope with an uncaring civilian life. After all, a lot of civilians aren't necessarily impressed at someone's ability to drive a tank."
Air Force veteran James VarnHagen, Executive Director of the New York City Rescue Mission, agrees: "The fact that three-quarters of the vets at our Rescue missions served at least three years is striking. But no matter how disciplined a person is, the stress of adjusting to civilian life can lead to drugs or excessive drinking."
The survey asked veterans for the decade in which they were discharged. The 1970s accounted for 33 percent of all discharges, followed by the 1980s and 1960s with 20 percent each. 12 percent of vets were discharged during the 1990s; 11 percent were discharged during the 1950s. The rest (4 percent) left the service prior to 1950.
The survey asked veterans in which branch of the Armed Forces they served. Forty-nine percent said they served in the Army, followed by 19 percent in the Navy, 19 percent in the Marines, 12 percent in the Air Force and two percent in the Coast Guard.
Men accounted for 96 percent of those surveyed. Racially, the breakdown of veterans is 51 percent Caucasian, 37 percent African-American, and six percent Hispanic.
In terms of type of discharge, 71 percent reported receiving an honorable discharge. 17 percent received general discharges; 7 percent, medical discharges; and 5 percent, dishonorable discharges. "These men served their nation honorably," said Rev. Burger. "I'm surprised the honorable discharge figure is so high. It certainly runs against the homeless stereotype."
IUGM member missions provide emergency food and shelter, yough and family services, rehabilitation programs for the addicted, and assistance to the elderly poor and at-risk youth. Last year, IUGM Rescue missions served more than 30 million meals, provided 12 million nights lodging, distributed more than 24 million pieces of clothing and graduated more than 20,000 homeless men and women into productive living.
More recent studies by the National Coalition for the Homeless Veterans (NCHV) (January 2004) indicate that approximately 33% of homeless men are veterans, although veterans comprise only 23% of the general adult male population. NCHV estimates that on any given night, 299,321 veterans are homeless.
Despite the over-reprepresentation of veterans in the homeless population, homelessness among veterans is not clearly related to combat military experience. Rather, studies show that homeless veterans appear less likely to have served in combat than house veterans.
Similarly, despite the widespread perception that Vietnam-era veterans constitute the majority of homeless veterans, research indicates that the veterans who are at greatest risk of homelessness are those who served during the late Vietnam and post-Vietnam era. According to NCHV, 47% served during the Vietnam Era and 17% served post Vietnam. These veterans had little exposure to combat, but appear to have increased rates of mental illness and addiction disorders, possibly due to recruitment patterns. Faced with a lack of affordable housing, declining job opportunities, and stagnating wages, people with these disabilities are more vulnerable to homelessness.
Demographics
Homeless veterans are more likely to be white (46% are white males, compared to 34% non-veterans), better educated (85% completed high school/GED, compared to 55% non-veterans), and previously or currently married than homeless non-veterans.
Female homeless veterans represent an estimated 2% of homeless veterans. They are more likely than male homeless veterans to be married and to suffer serious psychiatric illness, but less likely to be employed and to suffer from addiction disorders. Comparisons of homeless female veterans and other homeless women have found no differences in rates of mental illness or addictions.
Minorities are over-represented among homeless veterans, just as they are among the homeless population in general. However, there is some evidence that veteran status reduces vulnerability to homelessness among Black Americans. Black nonveterans are 2.9 times more likely to be homeless than white nonveternas. Black veterans, on the other hand, are 1.4 times more likely to be homeless than white veterans. The reduced risk of homelessness among Black veterans is most likely the result of educational and other benefits to which veterans are entitled, and thereby provided indirect evidence of the ability of government assistance to reduce homelessness.
Programs and Policy Issues
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) administers two special programs for homeless veterans: the Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans program (DCHV) and the Health Care for Homeless Veterans program (HCHV). Both programs provide outreach, psychosocial assessments, referrals, residential treatments, and follow-up case management to homeless veterans. Recent evaluations have found that these programs significantly improve homeless veterans' housing, psychiatric status, employment, and access to health services. In addition, the VA has initiated several new programs for homeless veterans and has expanded partnerships with public, private, and non-profit organizations to expand the range of services for homeless veterans.
In 1995, the VA conducted a national survey of VA homeless programs and community organizations to identify needs of homeless veterans. The survey found that long-term permanent housing, dental care, eye care, and child care were the greatest unmet needs of homeless veterans. Similarly, participants in a National Summit on Homelessness Among Veterans sponsored by the VA identified the top priority areas as jobs, preventing homelessness, housing, and substance abuse/mental health treatment.
In general, the needs of homeless veterans do not differ from those of other homeless people. There is some evidence, however, that programs which recognize and acknowledge veteran experience may be more successful in helping homeless veterans transition into stabile housing. Until serious efforts are made to address the underlying causes of homelessness, including inadequate wages, lack of affordable housing, and lack of accessible, affordable health care, the tragedy among both veterans and non-veterans will continue to plaque American communities.
Resources
National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, 333-1/2 Pennsylvania Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20003-1148. Phone: 800-838-4357; Fax: 888-233-8582; E-Mail: nchv@nchv.org
HUDVET. Established by HUD's Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD) in consultation with national veteran service organizations, HUDVET is a Veteran Resource Center designed to provide veterans and their family members with information on HUD's community-based programs and services. HUDVET may be reached at: 1-800-998-9999 (TDD 1-800-483-2209).
