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November 8, 2009

Our View: Veterans shouldn't be homeless

Everywhere there is a homeless population, it is likely some of the homeless are veterans.

The problem is getting well-deserved attention recently from the Department of Veterans Affairs. About 131,000 of the nation’s 24 million veterans may be homeless on any given night, and about twice as many are homeless each year, according to VA estimates. Some say that number could climb another 10 to 15 percent in the economic downturn.

The VA is pledging $3.2 billion toward its five-year goal of curbing the number of homeless vets. Part of the motivation is attributed to the fact that those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan become homeless much more quickly than other vets have.

As with most initiatives to fight a problem, focusing on prevention makes much sense. The new VA commitment adds $400 million to its efforts to prevent homelessness. The Washington Post reports that 85 percent of the funds will go toward health-care costs, an acknowledgment that homelessness is often secondary to health problems, especially mental health issues and substance abuse.

Another good thing about this push is that it doesn’t start from scratch. The department will expand partnerships with the Small Business Administration, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and other existing veterans programs at every level of government.

Vietnam Veterans of America applauded the government’s newly announced goal but cited a need to do more to diagnose and treat post-traumatic stress disorder; improve treatment for substance-abusing veterans, who comprise about a third of the homeless veterans population; eliminate a backlog in providing compensation to veterans too ill to work; and pay attention to the needs of female veterans.

As Veterans Day approaches on Wednesday, we’re reminded of all the sacrifices men and women in the service have made. The government’s renewed attention toward some of their issues is a step in the right direction.

Locally, The Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans will present its annual Veterans Stand Down event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday at the Verizon Wireless Center. Its goal is to provide a one-stop shop for veterans who may need assistance in any number of ways.

The event gets vets information without requiring them to come to a government office as well as gives them an opportunity to connect with other veterans.

These type of community efforts, along with more government focus, are needed to make sure none of our honorable service people slip through the cracks.

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