Homelessness has been a major problem in the veteran community for decades, and both public and private sector organizations are working to quell the issue as quickly as possible. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development estimated that there were as many as 47,725 homeless veterans in January 2015. Although this did represent a 4 percent drop between 2014 and 2015, and a 35 percent decrease from 2009's figures, there is still much to be done in this fight.
Because of how complex the problem is, state, federal and local governments are all working to contribute their fair share to the reduction of homelessness in their veteran populations. The private sector has also been an important component in this battle, as businesses and others have raised significant funds and donated them to nonprofits or government entities that handle the legwork of ending homelessness among veterans.
A new shot of life
The New York Daily News recently reported that the Real Estate Bond of New York has donated $450,000 to New York City specifically for its projects related to homeless veterans, while another $300,000 were logged from other entities. According to the news provider, about $500,000 of that will be sent directly to the Veterans Housing Initiative, with pieces being used for other various matters such as helping servicemembers get the furniture they need.
The source pointed out that the remaining $250,000 of the total donation came from Deutsche Bank Americas, and much of this will be used to fuel a program called "Functional Zero" that involves the assurance that shelters are not getting overloaded. This particular city has been a bright point for the country, as The New York Daily News noted that the municipality has seen a 90 percent decrease in the number of homeless veterans since 2011.
Making a difference
ABC News reported on an Army veteran named Tony Jones who recently moved into an apartment after being homeless for roughly six years and has enjoyed a much greater standard of living since. The news provider explained that Jones, like 1,500 other veterans living in Washington, D.C., has moved into an apartment or house thanks to nonprofit organization Miriam's Kitchen.
The source noted that the case worker from the organization who was assigned to Jones, Emily Buzzell, believes her firm will effectively reduce veteran homelessness in the nation's capital before 2016 comes to a close.
Veteran homelessness is still a major problem that affects tens of thousands of former servicemembers across the country. Fortunately, there are many efforts now under way to help those veterans get the stability and support they need. One location where that kind of help is becoming more available is New York City.
In a city famous for its high cost of living, veteran homelessness is a major problem, according to a report from the New York Daily News. To that end, the city government set up the Veterans Housing Initiative as part of its existing Mayor's Fund to Advance New York, which recently received sizable donations totaling $750,000. Of that money, $450,000 came from the Real Estate Board of New York. Another $50,000 came from a variety of other sources.
"The amount donated is nothing in comparison to what they (the vets) have already given," John Banks, REBNY president, told the newspaper.
A portion of that money will go to help veterans who were recently put into free housing get back on their feet with $1,000 gift cards to Target, the report said. Already, over the past five years the city says it has cut veteran homelessness by 90 percent, but still has quite a ways to go.
Another donation, in the form of a $250,000 grant from Deutsche Bank Americas, will be more directly focused at putting more homeless veterans into housing, the report said. Part of that will include finding permanent homes for veterans who lived on the streets for a year or more, as well as those who have been homeless at least four times in the last three years.
These efforts, not only in New York City but nationwide, could end up saving plenty of veterans' lives in a relatively short period of time.
Private groups and government agencies nationwide are now trying to do more to combat veteran homelessness, often by creating new facilities in which these former servicemembers can live. Just such an effort is now underway in Davenport, Iowa.
Freedom Home Ministries is now working to completely renovate an old home in time to move homeless veterans in during the month of May, according to a report from Davenport television station KWQC. The property had been vacant for a decade before the organization negotiated a long-term deal with the owner to expedite the process of renovations for the good cause.
"Our goal is to get 10 veterans off the streets and into their own apartments," Angie Walker, president of Freedom Home Ministries of the Quad Cities Area, told the station. "Homelessness with our veterans is unacceptable and we just want to do our part to help as many people as we can."
The efforts of organizations like this one provide significant benefits to veterans who often simply don't have other options for stabilizing their lives and getting themselves back into a successful ongoing situation.
According to a White House report titled "The Fast Track to Civilian Employment: Steamlining Credentialing and Licensing for Service Members, Veterans, and their Spouses," between 240,000 and 360,000 military members leave the Armed Forces for life after service every year. Many of these former servicemembers have families and are looking for a place to settle down. They must consider factors like access to VA facilities, veteran population, median income and quality of life. So, what are the best cities in the United States for veterans? AFBA has compiled the following list:
1. Virginia Beach, Virginia
This coastal city has one of the highest veteran populations in the country, making it a haven for former servicemembers. Not only will veterans be welcomed by fellow military comrades, they will also have great access to local VA. According to Military Times, there is an average of 1 VA office every ten miles in Virginia Beach. A bonus feature of this city is that the median income for veterans is among the top in the nation.
2. San Diego, California
Next on the list is San Diego, California. This gorgeous West Coast city is the perfect place for former servicemembers with growing families. The average monthly income for veterans in this city is $42,118, according to Military Times, and there are plenty of things to keep families busy. The schools in San Diego also average a 7 on the GreatSchools rating system, meaning children of veterans will have access to a good education.
3. Colorado Springs, Colorado
It's no surprise that this mountainous city made the list. Colorado Springs is home to the Air Force Academy, and a veteran population of almost 54,000. The scenic views and low crime rate make Colorado Springs an excellent place to begin life after service, especially because the median home price is $205,600.
4. Washington D.C.
What better place for a former servicemember than the nation's capitol? Aside from a wide variety of jobs available, Washington D.C. is full of activities, festivals, and attractions to keep veterans and their families busy. According to military times, there are about 25 VA centers within a 50 mile radius of the city, and this city has one of the lowest veteran unemployment rates in the nation. In fact, the average income for veterans in D.C. is $52,266 annually.
5. San Antonio, Texas
Though San Antonio's military population is relatively small in comparison with the rest of the country, the number of VA centers don't reflect that. San Antonio is a great place for veterans who may need the communal support or mental health help from VA centers. With 15 VA centers within a 50 mile radius, former servicemembers won't have to travel far to reach the services they need.
All veterans deserve a great place to settle for life after service. By doing a little research ahead of time, they can determine which city would be best for themselves and for their families before they make the big move.
When the brave men and women who serve in the military enter life after service, they may be faced with yet another battle. This one, however, is unseen. Because of the activities involved in military actions, many former servicemembers are left with unseen scars in the form of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and other mental health issues. These mental health problems can be difficult to deal with on your own, so it's important for veterans to know that there are plenty of resources available to help.
Military OneSource
This Department of Defense-created program is a 24/7 hotline that struggling servicemembers call call if they are experiencing mental health difficulties. Professionally-trained counselors are available to assist veterans with whatever issues they may be experiencing. The number for Military OneSource is 1-800-342-9647.
VA Mental Health
According to MentalHealth.gov this program is meant to "to enable people with mental health problems to live meaningful lives in their communities and achieve their full potential." It directs former servicemembers and their family members to resources that could be useful for those dealing with depression, anxiety and PTSD.
DoD/VA Suicide Outreach: Resources for Suicide Prevention
This website was created to be an all-access connection to helpful mental health resources. Among suicide prevention hotlines, this website also has videos and forums designed to help former servicemembers reach a healthy mental status and learn better coping skills.
DCoE Outreach Center
The Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury is responsible for this agency. Here, veterans can find help specifically with PTSD and traumatic brain injuries. Families members of struggling veterans may also find this organization's information and resources helpful.
Veteran Centers
Sometimes, mental healing comes from simply spending time and talking with others who have experienced similar situations. Veterans centers are often great places for former servicemembers who are struggling with mental health. Getting to know other veterans in the community and having a chance to express feelings to a group of people who will understand can be hugely beneficial.
Though mental health issues are not uncommon in returning servicemembers that does not mean they can go ignored. If you or a loved one is searching for mental health help or resources, you can contact any of the organizations mentioned above or reach out to your local VA office. Remember, you are not alone and there is always someone to help.
Various organizations and committees have worked to get veterans into public office, as servicemembers are often well-suited to positions in government. For example, VoteVets.org, a political action committee, was launched to help veterans navigate the election process and gain more visibility among their constituencies. However, few officials had spoken out about the fact that so few jobs within the security arm of the government have been filled by veterans until more recently.
MilitaryTimes reported that Chuck Hagel, the former Defense Secretary for the United States, spoke at an event regarding this strange shortage of veterans in national security departments. Not only was Hagel concerned about the fact that routine decisions were not being made by individuals who had served in the military, but that the highest levels of office are also witnessing a lack of veterans in the mix.
"When you look at the presidential candidates today, not one is a veteran," Hagel affirmed, according to MilitaryTimes. "Our current president and vice president are not veterans. The entire senior White House security staff, none are veterans. That doesn't mean they're bad people, that doesn't mean they're not smart, that doesn't mean they don't care about this country. But there is something missing here. And at a time when everything is hair-triggered, everything is nitro glycerine, and miscalculations can lead to a lot of trouble, we need veterans' input."
At the end of the day, the source pointed out that the rate of Congress members who are veterans has dropped from 70 percent in 1970 to 20 percent today. Perhaps instituting more programs to encourage veterans returning from overseas to run for public office might begin to balance these figures out in a more organic fashion.
Post-traumatic stress disorder affects an estimated 10 percent of Gulf War veterans and a further 11 percent of those who served in Afghanistan more recently. Researchers, government officials, the medical community and others have worked hard to develop treatments for this affliction in the past few years, while veterans have turned to a range of supports to cope, including certain medications and rehabilitation programs.
Awareness has long been held as the first step toward more comprehensive treatment of PTSD among the veteran community, and one Marine recently took to walking 5,000 miles to get the word out about the disorder. Now, one new program and a government initiative are poised to positively impact the veteran community through more successful treatment of PTSD.
Healing in the wilderness
ABC 23 recently reported that Outward Bound, a nationwide wilderness program, has begun to focus its efforts on helping veterans with PTSD heal in nature. Thanks to donations, the source pointed out that this particular program is free for veterans, while the Wounded Heroes Fund in Kern County in California is pushing for more donations to send 10 more former servicemembers to the wilderness for the healing process.
According to the news provider, participants are faced with challenges ranging from tough hikes to those that are more focused on the mental aspects of recovery, while the professionals who run the show also work to instill new skills into veterans. This includes communication and other soft skills, as well as methods to navigate the normalcy of a workday after returning from combat overseas.
ABC 23 noted that both Outward Bound and the Wounded Heroes Fund are currently accepting donations to help send more veterans off on these highly effective wilderness ventures in hopes of mitigating the tougher aspects of PTSD.
Puppies for the win
Fox News reported that the House of Representatives is currently weighing a bill that would fund a new program at the Veterans Administration to pair veterans and puppies in an effort to rehabilitate those with PTSD. Similar programs have been around for years, though this would be the first government-funded one.
The source stated that the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers Act, also known as the PAWS Act, will put roughly $10 million into the initial venture, and then build out depending upon how the measures play out.
Universities have been actively working to support veterans through a range of educational programs and specialized training initiatives, but these types of ventures are far from the only ones launched by higher education facilities. Rather, some are looking to make an impact on the veteran community by honoring servicemembers in more unique ways, including one in Mississippi that just announced a new project.
WTVA reported that the Northeast Mississippi Junior College, or NEMCC, has announced that it will recognize veterans through the development of a new memorial statue placed on its campus. Interestingly, this particular college has a history with veterans, in that it was largely built by veterans of World War II as they returned stateside from combat in the 1940s.
"We're calling it our Veteran's Memorial Campaign Project," Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Executive Director at the school's Alumni Association Patrick Eaton explained. "Each gift of $100 or more will be displayed in a marker recognizing your partnership with this campaign project. It is our privilege and honor to be a part of this project that will forever change Northeast campus. Our goal is $30,000."
The source noted that individuals who are interested in donating to this project can do so by visiting the school's website.
Other instances of universities and colleges working to recognize veterans can be found across the country, with schools like Arizona State University and Brown University holding special events on an annual basis. In Brown University's case, the school regularly holds a ceremony that brings together servicemembers and veterans alike, as well as the community that supports them, throughout the campus and neighboring city.
A combination of events that honor veterans and programs to improve education among servicemembers has made universities strong supporters of the community.
In recent years, more large companies have made hiring veterans a priority, and that has afforded many former servicemembers employment opportunities they simply would not have had before. Cable giant Comcast is one such business, and it has a very lofty goal in place to hire veterans in the next few years.
By the end of 2017, Comcast hopes to have hired some 10,000 veterans, making up as much as 15 percent of all new hires, according to a report from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Already, the company brought aboard 2,400 in 2015 alone, and that number was up nearly 40 percent from 2014. And to that end, it hired a veteran to head up the company's military and veterans affairs division, which reports directly to top executives.
Nationwide, about 495,000 veterans were unemployed at some point last year, and nearly 3 in 5 were over the age of 45, the report said. Close to 2 in 5 were between 25 and 44.
The more companies of all sizes can do to prioritize hiring veterans, the better off both those former servicemembers and the companies themselves will end up being, because veterans routinely prove to be eager, able workers with a wealth of professional skills.
One of the biggest issues many veterans face in their daily lives after service is that it's not always easy for them to get a job. This may be true for a number of reasons, but the good news is that this trend finally seems to be reversing itself. In fact, 2015 saw the biggest uptick in hiring of former servicemembers in years.
The latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the unemployment rate for veterans who served after 9/11 slid to just 5.8 percent at the end of 2015, down sharply from the 7.2 percent observed at the same time in 2014, according to a report from the Military Times. That's the lowest annual rate since veterans of those engagements started coming home, and far more in line with those of other demographic groups as well. The overall unemployment rate came in at 5.2 percent, but didn't improve as dramatically as that of post-9/11 veterans.
"Some of the improvement in the unemployment rate for veterans across the board has happened somewhat in parallel with the overall reduction in our nation's unemployment numbers over the last five to six years," Jack Norton, a spokesman spokesperson for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Hiring Our Heroes program, told the news organization. "At the same time, though, through much of our effort, businesses of all sizes have been reminded of the value of veterans as employees and have strengthened their veteran hiring programs as a result."
With veteran hiring on the rise, opportunities likely abound for former servicemembers who are looking for a stable job situation that can help them in many aspects of their lives. The more businesses can do to continue putting an emphasis on hiring these workers, the better off both sides of the equation will be.