Some saw combat in the rice paddies of Vietnam. Others crossed the Iraq-Kuwait border in 2003 and raced to Baghdad, battling the remnants of Saddam’s army all the way. Still others did multiple tours in the snowy mountains of Afghanistan.
And now these vets are panhandling and sleeping on park benches across America. It’s outrageous.
Sadly, the problem is persistent. It may even be growing. And there are no easy solutions. But these veterans did not shrink from their obligation. Neither should we in lending them a hand in return for their service. Outreach events called “Stand Downs” are allowing Americans to do just that. In the process, the scrappy nonprofits that run them are teaching slow-moving local governments a thing or two about problem solving.
The Veterans Village of San Diego – started by a couple of Vietnam vets – organized the first Stand Down in 1988. Homeless vets were given showers, clean clothing, haircuts and medical attention. Other services included advice about safe shelters, job counseling and substance abuse seminars. It was a great idea that was soon replicated across the country. Over 200 Stand Downs now take place nationwide each year and provide needed respite for the hundreds of vets who attend them. A few, the lucky ones, are put on a path out of homelessness.
Of course, most of these vets need much more than the proverbial shower and a shave. Beyond the complex factors at the root of all homelessness, many displaced vets suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and substance abuse, according to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV). Among all homeless veterans, some 33% were stationed in a war zone. About 76% have alcohol, drug or mental health problems. The lack of affordable housing only compounds the problem.
And for those on the street today, finding safe shelter overrides all else. “The root cause is not relevant for people who presently are cold, wet and in danger of being mugged,” said Thayer White, a psychotherapist and author who has written extensively on homelessness. It is imperative then that government agencies (in partnership with community-based groups) make more safe shelters available, even if means modifying local building codes. It also means managing existing shelters better. During a period of rain last December, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) helpfully opened the National Guard Armories to the homeless – but only at night. Since Mother Nature did not humor the City of Angels by turning off the waterworks – the worst in a decade – during daylight hours, this was utter insanity.
The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans says the most effective programs for homeless veterans are being built by community nonprofit groups with government funding assistance. Transitional housing which feature structured, substance-free environments with live-in mentors seem to work best. The National Alliance to End Homelessness found that outreach efforts to engage veterans living on the streets – like those carried out by Stand Down – also help.
Face it: Many homeless veterans are beset with seemingly insurmountable problems. It’s easy to toss a bearded panhandler a quarter and keep walking. It is more comfortable for us to pretend that the homeless either doesn’t exist or is somebody else’s problem. But in the case of vets, did you know that 85% have completed high school (or GED) compared to 56% of non-veterans? And nearly 90% received an honorable discharge. Though there are some 29,400 homeless veterans in California, the number is roughly equivalent to a typical infantry combat division – a unit of people that the Army and the Marines manages to feed, house and train every day. Why can’t we get our national house in order and do the same with our displaced veterans?
Given the respect they deserve, access to health care and a chance to re-join society, I suspect the odds are good that many if not most of these vets can succeed. Let’s stop wasting time bickering about how they ended up homeless. After all, there go we but for the grace of God.
Stand Down's philosophy is a “hand up, not a hand out.” We owe our homeless veterans at least that much. Get involved. Donate your time. Donate your money. Uncle Sam’s soldiers, marines, airmen and sailors needs you to help.
Some good websites to learn more:
Veterans Village of San Diego (the folks for started StandDown)
http://www.vvsd.net/standdown.htm
National Coalition for Homeless Veterans
http://www.nchv.org/background.cfm#questions
National Alliance to End Homelessness
http://www.endhomelessness.org/
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