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Homeless Veteran Count Drops, Affordability Concerns Remain
There is a good-news/bad-news scenario when it comes to the U.S.’ vulnerable military veteran population. The good news is that the number of homeless veterans is falling; fewer of them are living on the streets and sidewalks. The bad news is that housing affordability means thousands of veterans remain homeless, or are close to becoming homeless, while affordable housing developers struggle with creating enough units.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) found 37,085 veterans experiencing homelessness as of January 2019, compared with 37,878 reported the year before; and down considerably from the almost 76,000 homeless vets reported in 2009. HUD further noted that, among the total number of reported veterans experiencing homelessness in 2019, 22,740 were in sheltered settings. Meanwhile, volunteers counted 14,345 living in places that weren’t meant for human habitation.
Part of the reason for the drop is because advocates for homeless veterans suggest that people are becoming better connected to resources, including the “One List,” which focuses on determining veterans’ needs, then finding solutions to meet those needs.
However, there is not enough permanent, supportive housing available for these veterans. While housing developers have been creating affordable units as quickly as they are awarded the necessary subsidies, sometimes the housing requirements are different than housing one or two people. The people who occupy the housing can require mental health or substance abuse assistance, as well as help with everything from domestic violence to legal issues. “We’re seeing a lot more families with children,” said Brian Swanton with Gorman & Co., which develops affordable housing. “Veterans of the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan, they find themselves unemployed. There are not a lot of resources for them.”
Gorman’s Valor on Eighth opened in February 2018 in Tempe, AZ. While not supportive housing with case-management services, the apartments have a “preference” for veterans — and the community has a waiting list of 1,500. Another example is the Walter Reed Veteran Apartments, which opened on the former Walter Reed hospital campus in Washington D.C. The project, developed by HELP USA, provides permanent, supportive housing for 77 formerly homeless veterans, who have access to vocational training, job placement, substance abuse, psychiatric issues and legal concerns.
The problem, however, continues to be the lack of targeted housing. “As these wars continue on, we need to have housing that is adaptable,” said Leon Winston with Swords to Plowshares.
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