Beyond Veterans Day
Every November 11, we pause to honor veterans in the United States. Originally called Armistice Day, it was created in 1919 to commemorate the armistice that ended World War I, but in 1954 the celebration expanded to include all veterans. Beyond Veterans Day, how we can support veterans experiencing challenges like homelessness?
Homelessness is still an issue.
Looking at data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the number of veterans experiencing homelessness has decreased by 43.3% since 2011. This is significant progress, but the numbers are still concerning. Last year, more than 37,000 veterans experienced homelessness. Of that number, more than 90% were men and just shy of 9% were women.
How the U.S. government helps.
The U.S. government has several mechanisms, largely through the Department of Veterans Affairs, to help veterans find and maintain housing. Since 2008, more than 144,000 homeless veterans have received support from the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program (HUD-VASH). In 2019, HUD-VASH housed more than 11,000 veterans.
And, nonprofits provide support.
Veterans experience homelessness for some of the same reasons civilians do, such as the inability to access affordable housing, but they face unique challenges, too. Veterans often encounter employers who do not regard their military-based training as transferrable assets for the civilian workforce, making it difficult to find adequate employment. Nonprofits dedicated to serving veterans and ending homelessness intervene in these critical areas and some also advocate for veterans at the local, state, and federal levels.
Volunteers of America identified several organizations, as listed below, that need support. Girl Friday is building a list, too! Have a suggestion? Email us!
Disabled American Veterans provides support, at no cost, for more than one million veterans and their families each year. Last year, the organization helped veterans receive more than $21 billion in earned benefits.
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America aims to "connect, unite, and empower post-9/11 veterans." They advocate across a range of policy issues, including combatting suicide, modernizing Veterans Affairs, and supporting women veterans.
The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans works to end homelessness among veterans by acting as "the resource and technical assistance center" for community-based service providers and government agencies that provide emergency support, housing, legal aid, food, and health services.
U.S.Vets is the largest nonprofit provider of comprehensive services to homeless and at-risk veterans in the United States. They operate residential sites and service centers, while working toward finding permanent homes for veterans and their families.
Girl Friday is proud to commemorate the military service of her father and both maternal and paternal grandfathers (pictured here), who served in Korea and World War II, respectively. Thank you to all who serve!