Veteran Homelessness: VA Offers $100 Million In Prevention Grants

In an effort to keep veterans from turning to the streets, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced Monday that it will offer $100 million in grants to local agencies that help returning troops in need.

The VA estimates that 107,000 veterans are without a place to stay on any given night and has committed to eliminating the mounting problem by 2015. The VA's most recent program will enable community agencies to apply for grants from a $100 million pot, so that they can intervene before former servicemen and servicewomen are forced to give up their homes.

"The problems that lead to homelessness begin long before veterans and their families are on the streets," Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki said in a statement. "By putting more resources into prevention services for people at risk of becoming homeless, we will continue to help veterans and their families get back on their feet and turn their lives around."

The program aims to help more than 35,000 veterans and families.

Offering veterans training, education and counseling -- among other services -- is critical before returning troops resort to living in cardboard boxes. Homeless veterans are more likely to develop life-threatening diseases -- and remain on the streets longer -- than non-veteran homeless people, according to a study conducted by the 100,000 Homeless Campaign released in November.

"Those who have served this nation as veterans should never find themselves on the streets, living without care and without hope," Shinseki said.

CORRECTION: The headline on this story originally said $1 million was granted. The correct number is $100 million. The post has been updated to reflect the change.

WATCH Related Video:

Comments

[Wendi Goodman]

11:45 AM on 12/06/2011

I've been watching the films attached to this post. What a joke they are! They make applying for benefits seems all too easy! Beware, Veterans, especially you new Veterans just getting out of the service. It's not as easy as they make it appear in these videos. Expect to wait for at least a year before you get a response. AT LEAST one year and not a day less. I recommend the do it yourself method of filing claims. While there are some very good service officers out there, the bad ones far outweigh the good ones. Keep in mind that no one cares as much about your VA disability Claim as you do. For more info on do it yourself claims, go to www dot vawatchdog dot org. You'll be happy you did.

[ljb860ljb]

08:21 AM on 12/06/2011

Correction request: is it $1 million (headline) or $100 million (story).

[First Blast]

08:12 AM on 12/06/2011

This is the only post you need to read on this issue. The money is going to purchase for the government the appearance of generosity and concern for discarded warriors. The actual money that gets poured down the bureaucratic funnel will be soaked up by many hands at different levels. At the bottom, the actual homeless vets will be lucky to get a cup of water. The government is actually not just getting the appearance of generosity as I mentioned above but also purchasing the good will and votes of those people who are lucky enough to grab hold of a piece of this largess. As for the population of homeless vets, they are neither organized or likely to vote so there is no reason to either fear them or expect anything in return for actually helping them in their basic needs.

[ljb860ljb]

08:23 AM on 12/06/2011

As for the population of homeless vets, they are neither organized or likely to vote ------ sorry they are homeless therefore with new Voter ID laws are not eligible to vote as most require a valid address.

[StephanieF24]

10:00 PM on 01/08/2012

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/15/homeless-veteran-numbers-drop_n_900409.html

Homeless Veteran Numbers Drop By 55,000: VA

[StephanieF24]

09:57 PM on 01/08/2012

I;m sorry sir but you are incorrect. Look into the VA Supportive Housing Program, the VA has been provided funding for 50,000 Veteran and families!! to get off the street and into PERMANENT housing. C urrently roughly 35,000 veterans and families are housed. While there are many more homeless veterans remaining, this success rates of this program continue to grow, which allows funding to continue. Ask the social worker at your VA. This is a HOUSING FIRST program, meaning people do not need to have medical care, mental house care, or sobriety requirements prior to housing.

[bintampa]

08:08 AM on 12/06/2011

If the VA were really concerned about the welfare of veterans they would not use contractors on their building projects that use illegal aliens.

[fabuloush2s]

07:41 AM on 12/06/2011

Many years of attempts to get the attention of the system regarding this issue. Hard work and strain, helplessness on families and caregivers.

Without support and understanding millions of Vietnam era Vets deliberately got lost in the system. From either the red tape or catch 22. Some were deceived by administrators at the VA... some were informed their records were burned in a fire etc... How do I know this?? Because I went through the system trying to help a Veteran. Because I have maintained records and decisions, today I can understand why so many veterans are forced to turn to the streets . The complications are strugged off by those who are responsible to expedite benefits and care. Hopefully, the concern will expand even further and more grants and means will do what we should do, not to allow one veteran go through foreclosure, or be homeless. They do not deserve this from the American system... They deserve and are worthy of a chance to transform into civilian life!

[buyonegetonefree]

06:58 AM on 12/06/2011

$1 million?
Do you think the Obama Administration can spare it.
Have they been saving up for the $1 million for the last three years?
Did it take some fancy bookkeeping to get the ball rolling?
How much will the homeless Vets actually see, $5000.
This sums up this Administration to a tee.

[dresdengirl]

08:17 AM on 12/06/2011

25¢

[intreveus]

11:20 AM on 12/06/2011

Don't blame the Obama Administration, it's your republican buddies that are the problem. For example the president cited programs within VA and across the federal government to address some of the associated issues: homelessness and unemployment, among them. In addition to helping veterans secure homes and funding the post-9/11 GI Bill that is now helping more than 500,000 veterans and their families go to college, Obama said he has directed the federal government to hire more veterans.
In addition to major improvements throughout the VA's health care system, including better outreach and service to women as well as veterans in rural areas, VA is making big strides in meeting the needs of those suffering the unseen wounds of war.

THAT'S A LOT MORE THAN THE REPUBLICANS HAVE DONE.

[jimstaro]

06:57 AM on 12/06/2011

No Revenues = No Sacrifice = No Support = DeJa-Vu all over again!. Now a decade and counting added to the previous decades of under funding the VA, while the peoples reps Still try and lay blame on the Agency, after rubber stamping wars and costs of and those represented cheer on these wars! While the wealthy and other investors garner their booty, still, from both and many have the chutz·pa to call themselves more patriotic{?} then others wrapped in those false flags, using false slogans and various cheap symbols of!

[ljb860ljb]

08:26 AM on 12/06/2011

Yep, Bushie actually wanted to take funding away from VA to help pay for his wars just as those wars increased the need. When he could not he managed to means test vets, example: I lost VA care because I made a whole bunch in 2009, a whole $24,000...

[Bill Sr]

05:33 AM on 12/06/2011

$1 million is a drop in the bucket but it's a start

[Altruism 101]

04:35 AM on 12/06/2011

Treat every veteran as a Medal of Honor recipient !
Veterans are the ones who stepped up when you couldn't !
Uniforms and Badges, don't make the individual, it's what's inside that makes them Human Beings !

Not all veterans took the life of another at the end of a gun, Many took lives with their hearts !
Some went willingly, while others were forced, try wearing those BOOTS and filling their shoes !

When you come upon a veteran whom lost limbs and is confined to a Wheelchair, Don't turn your eyes away ! Reach out with your heart and say your sorry it was him or her and not you !

Many of us veterans go around with so much hate, not for our enemy but for those whom contributed to our fate !

It's so easy to say a veteran was at the Wrong place at the Wrong time, Excuse me, Do you really think there is a good time for WAR and UGLINESS ? Try saying that to the face of a Soldier whom lost everything in his/her life !

[fabuloush2s]

08:07 AM on 12/06/2011

The statement is correct, treat every veteran as a Medal of Honor Recipient... this is what is so very wrong... separating the benefits by class action..meaning giving the medals are fine, but to deny those who fought and made it back, not as a hero are treated differently. Our system should honor regardless!! A weapons expert is just as important as a stock inventory troop! In the past decade millions of troops went to war without proper gear.. and as a result may have been hurt because of it... this should not prevent the disabled veteran to be treated any worst than a veteran who gave or sacrificed his life to save others. A "Hero" sees no discrimination... all military troops should be received as a hero!!

[moozie56]

09:19 PM on 12/06/2011

I see several very valid points raised here. I wasn't one of the individuals that had what it took to step up and take the oath that so many others have but I do realize that joining the military does not make you a robot or take away the fact you are human beings.
Seeing a veteran that has lost a limb, bears other physical scars, or shows no outward signs of injury makes me realize they were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to defend ALL our rights and freedoms and that should be appreciated and understood. Some veterans do not want to be thanked for their service...have you ever wondered why that is? Would like to hear what you think.
I am passionate about veterans, how we each treat them and how we allow others to treat them. Dignity, honor, respect..these cost us nothing yet we still don't take the time to give a "wounded warrior" a smile, a kind word or to look them in the eye, and ask them if they will share their story. If they say no, respect their choice and talk to them about whatever they choose or just be a physical presence they know really cares about them.
For the sacrifice they were wiling to make and the service they gave us-some want to put a price tag on helping our veterans.. Don't forget..financial assistance is nothing compared to what our veterans did for us.

[HenryDavid]

03:17 AM on 12/06/2011

"Those who have served this nation as veterans should never find themselves on the streets, living without care and without hope," Shinseki said.

This is the bottom line. Anyone who has worn the uniform should never be forced into homelessness--to be without shelter, food or medical care.

All people deserve shelter; and even the most practical-minded person would agree that it's cheaper than keeping citizens in jail on some trifling charge about vagrancy. Of course this is not even to mention the added violence on the street and subsequent medical charges resulting from that life--medical charges which the public will have to pay. Without a doubt, shelter would be much cheaper and more humane.

The timely issues of veteran homelessness and a very high veteran suicide rate remind me of the Bush-Cheney Blitzkrieg on Iraq in 2003. They spent fortunes (of taxpayer money) on weaponry and sending many thousands of soldiers there. Yet, they didn't have an exit plan. And even more tellingly, they didn't make any preparations for returning vets--especially the disabled. Walter Reade Medical Facility--the primary military medical hospital--was degraded and not equipped at all for the many wounded. They just weren't considered or provided for.

[123deanna]

09:57 AM on 12/06/2011

henrydavid, why are the VFW's and other similar groups helping these vets more? Or, perhaps I'm ignorant and they are. The vets came from where to begin with, didn't they have families before enlisting? Where is that family now? its usally 4 years, depending on the branch you enlist in, I can't understand why they don't have a family or friends to reunite with, what am I missing here. And, yes...here we have millions of empty homes across the USA bez of foreclosure can't the g'ment set up housing between branches with the VA, buy a a big house and house 8-10 of these men until they can find work and get back on there feet? If we did this across the USA there would be less homeless on the streets, and dignity amongst these men, somebody make this happen...McCain???

[HenryDavid]

03:35 AM on 12/08/2011

I don't know the full story of VFW involvement in vet homelessness or their connection with the VA. But I have seen VFW "stations" to help vets at the VA hospital. Also, I know of a VFW office next to the regional VA here. They will help facilitate VA claims, to help get it properly filled out and into the VA's hands. Also, they have a phone solicitation for furniture or equipment or used clothing or whatever donations to the VFW. Hard to say about the family and friends issue. I saw an article here last year about the number of vets dying alone, not knowing about the VA and the VA not knowing about them. More contact may help lower the suicide rate. I have no reason to believe McCain would be helpful. Jesse Ventura would be a better choice there. Also, I believe Gen. Shinseki is honest, capable, and sincere. But the VA bureaucracy is immense and dense.

[HenryDavid]

01:28 AM on 12/11/2011

I don't think McCain would work out. He sold his honor in the 1987 S&L scam. Only by his POW status did he avoid punishment. The same way John Glenn avoided punishment as part of the Keating Five was because of his astronaut status. They both should have resigned from the senate at that point.

[Gringostan]

03:05 AM on 12/06/2011

We have millions of bankster owned empty homes – now what could we use these for – let me think???

[thecoffeeparty]

03:03 AM on 12/06/2011

I think this is a good thing and there should be more 'good things' like this in our current society. I don't think it needs analysis. I think there needs to be MORE solutions to help vets.

[Khakis and Chucks]

03:01 AM on 12/06/2011

These are the type of handouts that are ruining this country. I have heard of veterans abusing these programs and taking vacations to Hawaii. NO MORE HANDOUTS!

[Altruism 101]

03:12 AM on 12/06/2011

HEY, GET A LIFE !

Veterans never and will never accept your HAND-OUTS !

[bluelyne]

03:20 AM on 12/06/2011

There are abuses in every group. Don't punish them all for the bad behavior of some.

[mcartri]

03:00 AM on 12/06/2011

Wake-up, America! That $100,000,000 could have gone to tax cuts for the top 1%. Call your GOP congressman and demand they say NO to this socialist give-away.

[Gringostan]

03:11 AM on 12/06/2011

I like how you think… If only I was part of the 1%.

[Altruism 101]

03:13 AM on 12/06/2011

Your on the WRONG PLANET !

Get a LIFE !

[mcartri]

03:30 AM on 12/06/2011

A 101, look "Wit" up in the dictionary. It's that stuff that's been flying over your head for years. "Look...Up in the sky...It's bird...It's a plane...NO...It's a ____".

[pepper1311]

02:51 AM on 12/06/2011

I lost an arm and kidney in VN. I go to the VA's ,BUT the elephant in the room for all American's is Health Care!