Blake Hall
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) estimates, about 50,000 veterans will experience homelessness at some point during the year. For these proud men and women who put their lives on the line to protect their country, it’s a nightmare consolation, and one that so often times spirals into a chronic and seemingly insurmountable dilemma.
It simply doesn’t have to be the case though. But, in order to amend a problem — especially something as important and as vast as this — you have to understand the root of it. So, in that spirit, let’s highlight seven facts of the matter that we need to change or do more of, as soon as possible.
1. VA programs currently only reach 40% of homeless veterans (National Coalition for Homeless Veterans)
2. About 13% of the adult homeless population are veterans (Department of Veterans Affairs)
3. Homeless veterans are younger on average than the total veteran population (National Coalition for Homeless Veterans)
4. About 1. 5 million other veterans are considered at risk of homelessness due to poverty, lack of support networks, and dismal living conditions in overcrowded or substandard housing (National Coalition for Homeless Veterans)
5. The most effective programs for homeless and at-risk veterans are community-based, nonprofit, “veterans helping veterans” groups (National Coalition for Homeless Veterans)
6. Homeless veterans are more likely to be on the streets than non-veterans (The Huffington Post)
7. More than 67% of homeless veterans served our country for at least three years and 33% were stationed in a war zone (Stand Down)
Nonprofits and charities aren’t the only ones digging into the fight to eradicate homeless among veterans. Private businesses — like New York-based startup Bombas Socks — are pitching in to lend a helping hand to our nation’s heroes.
Bombas is donating a pair of socks to U.S. VETS for every sock purchased through their military discount program.
To buy a pair and contribute to the cause, click here.
For a list of VA support programs for homeless veterans by state, click here.