In recent years, shelters like homeless services in Michigan have been diligently working to make sure of a permanent house for everyone who has served the United States of America.

In addition to the complex set of factors that affect the majority of homeless individuals lack of affordable housing, income loss, poverty, mental illness, and substance abuse, many veterans live with PTSD. It is often compounded by a lack of support from peers and family.

Here are 5 facts about homeless veterans that you need to know:

1. Massive drop in veteran homelessness

Within a single decade (2009-2019), the number of homeless veterans in America reduced to half. The massive reduction from approximately 74,087 to 37,085 veterans experiencing homelessness went over the anticipated progress.

During this time, various homeless services in Michigan joined this initiative and such events have proven to be one of the biggest milestones in achieving this number. There was a Hud-Vash program that adopted the Housing First strategies back in 2012. This approach has proven to be beneficial for homeless veterans. Housing first through Hud-Vash was not only implemented, but Congress also funded them.

2. Changing the norms of a veteran to homelessness

If we speak about history, the national policy failures have implied that veterans are more likely to face homelessness. Back in 2019, 21 out of 10K veterans were homeless.  This number is just a little higher than overall homelessness of America which is around 16 out of 10K people. Enhanced focus on promoting House First, as well as more funds for veteran homelessness, have assisted in narrowing the gap.

3. Veterans of color are more prone to face homelessness

Veterans of color are more likely to face homelessness. The native Pacific islanders or Hawaiians are more at risk (106 out of every 10000 people) of being homeless, irrespective of their service to the nation. Black people and American Indian has almost the same rate.

The homeless services in Michigan have helped black veterans to a great extent. These seniors experienced the most drastic drop in homelessness over the last five years, the movement assists in reducing disparities between them and other groups.

4. Impact of COVID

While we have witnessed progress on veteran homelessness, the COVID had a massive impact on employment in America which played a negative role in homelessness and evictions.

5. Ending homelessness for all veterans

As of right now, the rate of homelessness among veterans is cut in half. As Housing First and Govt. investments have assisted in producing great results, the day is not far away when there will be a home for every veteran in America.

Wrapping Up

These were the 5 factors of veteran homelessness you needed to know. The homeless services in Michigan and other initiatives from different states play key roles in making the big dream of giving a home to every veteran possible.

James Stevenson is the author of this article. For more details about Residential healing programs in Michigan please visit our website: holycrossservices.org