In the six years since the Obama Administration and
the Veterans Administration set a goal of eradicating
veterans’ homelessness, cities and states — Houston; Las
Vegas; Mobile, Ala.; New Orleans; Syracuse, N. Y.; and
the state of Virginia — have announced they achieved
that goal.
It’s a challenging problem that affects not just men,
but a growing number of women, reports Stephanie J.
Wong, a clinical psychologist who works at a VA hospital in the San Francisco Bay Area. “The majority are
Vietnam-era vets. But I’m also seeing more and more
younger vets, in their mid-30s, and a lot more Operation Iraqi Freedom vets seeking help.”
Many have suffered multiple injuries, which makes
treatment more challenging. “I’m seeing more and more
‘comorbid’ injuries, so a veteran may have a traumatic
brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance abuse,” notes Wong. “What do you treat first?”
Communities are building facilities to shelter veterans
in need. In Columbia, Mo., Veterans United Mortgage (VU) and its charitable foundation contributed
$1 million — nearly one-quarter of the entire funding necessary — to transform a decrepit hotel into
a “welcome home community” for veterans without
housing. The facility has both apartment units and an
emergency shelter.
“It’s a campus designed for homeless veterans to have all
the necessary and comprehensive services they need to
get back on their feet and gain reemployment,” explains
Greg Steinhoff, VU foundation director. “What’s
important is the housing-first concept. You don’t have
to give up anything or change your behavior. We just
want you here. We’ll find you a place to call home first,
and we’ll help you from there.”
Cities are also uniting groups that typically haven’t
worked together with ease. The Austin Board of REALTORS® (ABR) jumped in when the Texas city’s mayor
More and more younger
vets are seeking help.
Communities Go All In
to End Homelessness for Veterans
Communities are building facilities
to shelter veterans in need.
