The number of veterans experiencing homelessness increased in 2020 even before the effects of the coronavirus pandemic damaged employment prospects and financial resources for the community, according to a new report released by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. 1.4 million veterans are at risk of homelessness. From 2010 to 2019, the number of veterans without stable housing decreased by more than 50 percent. However, the figure increased slightly in 2020, rising to 37,252 in HUDs annual point-in-time estimate, up by a few hundred individuals. The totals mean that of every 10,000 veterans in the United States, 21 were experiencing homelessness at the start of last year. Veterans make up about 6 percent of the population of the United States but 8 percent of the countrys homeless population. Across all groups, the number of Americans experiencing homelessness increased about 2.2 percent from 2019 to 2020. HUD estimates about 580,000 individuals were without stable housing as of January 2020.

More than 90 percent of veterans experiencing homelessness were men, according to the HUD survey. Black veterans made up about one-third of all veterans dealing with unstable housing, even though they make up just 12 percent of the total veterans population in America.

The HUD report notes that 28 states saw decreases in their total number of veterans experiencing homelessness, a positive trend. North Carolina, Oregon, and Utah all saw double-digit percentage decreases in their homeless veterans population.

HUD -VASH Opportunity for Veterans:

HUD-VASH is a collaborative program between HUD and VA combines HUD housing vouchers with VA supportive services to help Veterans who are homeless, and their families find and sustain permanent housing. Through public housing authorities, HUD provides rental assistance vouchers for privately owned housing to Veterans who are eligible for VA health care services and are experiencing homelessness. VA case managers may connect these Veterans with support services such as health care, mental health treatment and substance use counseling to help them in their recovery process and with their ability to maintain housing in the community.

In this discussion post, respond to the following:

• Provide your thoughts on homelessness among Veterans
• Which housing model do you think would work best with Veterans? Why do you feel thats the better option?
• Research if there are any options for resources for Veterans in your area? If there are no resources, what would you suggest as an option that would help Veterans and why? If there are resources, please describe the resource and provide insight on if you think it is a good program? Why or why not?