Veterans and Homelessness
Abstract
The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have brought renewed attention to the needs of veterans, including the needs of homeless veterans. Homeless veterans initially came to the country's attention in the 1970s and 1980s, when homelessness generally was becoming a more prevalent and noticeable phenomenon. The first section of this report defines the term "homeless veteran," discusses attempts to count homeless veterans, and presents the results of studies regarding the characteristics of homeless veterans. At the same time that the number of homeless persons began to grow, it became clear through various analyses of homeless individuals that homeless veterans are overrepresented in the homeless population. The second section of this report summarizes the available research regarding the overrepresentation of both male and female veterans, who are present in greater percentages in the homeless population than their percentages in the general population. This section also reviews research regarding possible explanations for why homeless veterans are overrepresented. In response to the issue of homelessness among veterans, the federal government has created numerous programs to fund services and transitional housing specifically for homeless veterans. The third section of this report discusses eight of these programs. The majority of programs are funded through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Within the VA, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), which is responsible for the health care of veterans, operates all but one of the programs for homeless veterans. The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), which is responsible for compensation, pensions, educational assistance, home loan guarantees, and insurance, operates the other. In addition, the Department of Labor operates one program for homeless veterans. Several issues regarding homelessness among veterans have become prominent since the beginning of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 26, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA502697
Entities
People
- Libby Perl
Organizations
- Library of Congress