Friday Editorial: Returning Vets and Homelessness -- A National Disgrace

As we write on this Blog about the standards applicable to the boards of directors, I thought it prudent to point out that while I do not sit on the board of a public company, I dosit on the board of a non-profit, the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. As a result, in discussing issues such as diversity on the board or standards for directors, I have some real life perspective on how they would work in practice.  In other words, the opinions do not entirely emanate from the ivory tower.

But today, in a rare digression from the usual topics of corporate governance, I want to note what is a growing national disgrace in connection with veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.  Published reports indicate that they are increasingly ending up in the homeless population in the United States.   

First, a few statistics.  A majority of the homeless are families.  According to the2007 Denver Point in Time Survey, an annual survey of the number of homeless in the metropolitan area, six in 10 homeless persons were part of a household with children.   Of the single homeless (again according to the Point in Time Survey), 24% of them are women.  However dangerous it is to live a homeless existence, it is exponentially more dangerous for women.  

What about veterans?  Anyone intersecting with the homeless community learns quickly that the population has a large proportion of vets.  Once in a day shelter, I saw four homeless men turn to each other and say "Sempre Fi" (always faithful), the motto of the marines, before leaving to find shelter for the night.  According to the Denver Post article, one in four homeless are vets, despite making up only 11% of the population. 

And while they are mostly from Vietnam and the Gulf War, the veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan are starting to make their appearance.  The article noted that the Department of Veteran Affairs had tracked 1500 vets from the current campaigns and found that 400 of them participated in programs designed to help the homeless.  Note that the number only picks up those who participate in VA sponsored programs, no doubt understating the numbers.  Who are these vets?  According to the article:

• "Iraq vets seeking help with homelessness are more likely to be women, less likely to have substance abuse problems, but more likely to have mental illness -- mostly related to post-traumatic stress"

This is a disgrace.  They volunteer to fight in these wars, risking their lives.  Some come back after having suffered physical trauma, others mental trauma.  Notwithstanding programs sponsored by the VA, they are showing up in the homeless population.  

Consider doing something about this disgrace.  The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless provides health care and housing for the homeless.  Its motto is "permanent solutions."  It does and will continue to provide assistance to homeless vets.  Think aboutdonating.  When you do, mention this Blog and consider having the funds targeted, whether for child care (which is entitled to a 50% tax credit on taxes paid in Colorado) or for vets (including those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan). 

Comments

[Stephen "Professor" Bainbridge]

I commend you for raising this important issue. Here in Los Angeles, the LA Mission does a great job of supporting the homeless, including vets. I've provided a link at my blog:

http://www.stephenbainbridge.com/punditry/comments/homeless_vets/