Instead of the Government spending huge amounts of money to feed, educate and support refugees, and illegal aliens, it could and should be spending that money caring for and housing veterans. Society, in general has no idea what happens to a warrior who has seen friends killed or wounded in action. These memories fill the small spaces of the mind and only come out when an outside influence causes them to surface. At that point, no one knows exactly how a wounded warrior is going to respond. Creating safe places, not necessarily homes, but places where these soldiers can go to get out of the cold. Get some food in their stomachs, and possibly have a fellow veteran to talk to that has been there and done that is what should be a priority. Some of these homeless veterans don't want to feel confined to a home all the time, so just some place where they can go until they get ready to leave should be paramount. America can do this, with or without government help. It's time to throw away the Vietnam legacy of hating our returning military veterans and showing them the kindness and respect they all deserve.
Submitted by Gerry Wood (not verified) : Mar 10, 2016 3:45pm
Nonexistent? There are some studies that indicate Veteran homelessness has decreased by as much as 50% in the last six years. HUD 2015 Report: Decline in Veteran Homelessness
HUD Secretary Julián Castro recently announced HUD’s latest national one-night estimate of homelessness, highlighting a continuing decline across the nation. HUD’s 2015 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress found that there has been an overall 11 percent decrease and 26 percent drop in the unsheltered homeless population since 2010, when President Obama launchedOpening Doors, the nation’s first-ever comprehensive strategy to prevent and end homelessness. Between 2010 and January 2015, veteran homelessness declined 36 percent, family homelessness declined 19 percent, and chronic homelessness declined 22 percent
Submitted by Jim Creagan (not verified) : Mar 10, 2016 10:33pm
Since history suggests that the Gov. cannot manage "anything", the funding should be used to let contracts out to private firms to manage the projects, then put under the review of Veterans Affairs.
Submitted by Don C - USN (not verified) : Mar 10, 2016 4:52pm
How many are homeless veterans and how many are homeless who happen to be veterans? Meaning life decisions made after service, not connected to their service, that resulted in their current predicament? I have no sympathy for those who put themselves in that situation, and the government owes them nothing.
Submitted by Flatulent Fred (not verified) : Mar 10, 2016 4:54pm
I would not make the life choices to put myself in that situation, as most homeless people do. If I did, I would not expect you or anyone else to feel sorry for me just because I am a veteran.
Submitted by Flatulent Fred (not verified) : Mar 11, 2016 3:16pm
From what I've read there have been great successes and many failures all over the country; it's very spotty. Yet that is how it will be solved, at the local level. Federal efforts will be just "one-size-fits-all" and will not work. Federal funds should be directed to the local level where local people are in direct contact with the homeless.
Any effort to reduce homelessness must include mental health assessments. Many homeless, veterans or civilians, have mental illnesses that compel them to avoid any kind of structured environment or authority; they just want to be left alone to face their "demons". No effort to reduce homelessness that does not also include mental health help will fail.
For those homeless, veteran or civilian, who are just down on their luck, affordable housing should be the first step. From what I've read, for many homeless families, without a roof over their head nothing else matters.
Submitted by puna01 (not verified) : Mar 10, 2016 5:29pm
Homelessness is a problem of both Parties. Lack of a good 3 r`s education. Lack of work in society for all. Older Immigrants taking teenager jobs in fast food, after school jobs. Lack of Parenting, or Single Parent only. Start the Draft, Men and Women, in Conservation, EnCampments for capable workers to learn Self-Discipline and Survival in the World. Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, CampFire Girls does work, with encouragement from adults in their lives. Need more? Back to Tough Love. As said in the US Army: KickButt and Take Names! Liberalism needs to go. Responsibility for One`s Actions, if there is any available. Instead of Disability, Unemployment, Free Money, Food Stamp cards. "GET A LIFE! Uncle Sam is Your Uncle, Not Your Daddy". (Old 60`s sayings).
Submitted by JHD (not verified) : Mar 14, 2016 6:44pm
They want to spend there our tax dollars on the refugee's and to hell with our vetrans and the same attitude concerning the V.A. health system. In short congress and that poor excuse for a president just dont give a crap cause there is no money in it for them personally
Submitted by Fred C. (not verified) : Mar 11, 2016 10:19am
I discovered some number of years ago that by the strictest of definitions used by the VA that I am in fact a "homeless" veteran even though I do have a roof over my head. The specifics of that are a very long story!!
As a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corp I would like to see the homeless veterans off the street though think the problem is hardly one of the military. It is an American problem and should be addressed by all Americans. A civilized society should just not allow their people to go hungry, without medical care or without a roof over their head.
It is an issue though of debate year after year between Republicans and Democrats. Republicans believe one should pull themselves up by their own bootstraps and Democrats believe we should help thy neighbor. Who is right? Both are. So the issue should address these political concerns by both providing better funding for the homeless and at the same time a real rewards system where you can get off the streets and the harder you work the further you can be successful in terms of increasing ones lifestyle. So provide more opportunities for the homeless.
The reason I am against singling out the veterans is when we are at war we all suffer. Perhaps you didn't carry an M16 around though you might have a brother who did that lost his life. The point is suffering is collateral damage to all Americans at war not just the enlisted man or woman. So I try not to judge why a person is homeless, there could be a myriad of reasons. In other words, one can be a veteran and homeless though the homelessness was caused by a significantly different variable than having served in the military. The issue therefore is helping the homeless, period. Let's pick them all up. Together we stand - divided we fall!
Submitted by Roman T (not verified) : Mar 13, 2016 6:25pm
Roman T im in agreement with you well said. The issue is serious but it is more of a local problem. When we as americans can get up and do something at a local level then i believe we will have more success. Seems like the money you throw at a problem like this is not the answer.
Individuals at local level coming together can accomplish more. Why because each locality have different reasons for cause of homelessness. All local organizations and individual citizens should come together to work on this problem. Then we can begin to see the issues resolve itself. When one community sees success then share it with other communities so that they can chose whats works best for them to clear up the problem. As a whole, We as Americans I believe have a compassionate heart for each of us who have legitimate problems. A "cookie cutter" response to a problem such as homelessness is not always the answer.
Comments
Instead of the Government
Instead of the Government spending huge amounts of money to feed, educate and support refugees, and illegal aliens, it could and should be spending that money caring for and housing veterans. Society, in general has no idea what happens to a warrior who has seen friends killed or wounded in action. These memories fill the small spaces of the mind and only come out when an outside influence causes them to surface. At that point, no one knows exactly how a wounded warrior is going to respond. Creating safe places, not necessarily homes, but places where these soldiers can go to get out of the cold. Get some food in their stomachs, and possibly have a fellow veteran to talk to that has been there and done that is what should be a priority. Some of these homeless veterans don't want to feel confined to a home all the time, so just some place where they can go until they get ready to leave should be paramount. America can do this, with or without government help. It's time to throw away the Vietnam legacy of hating our returning military veterans and showing them the kindness and respect they all deserve.
disgrace and shameful
disgrace and shameful
Gerry: I am in total
Gerry: I am in total agreement. Press on my brother!
The governments effort to end
The governments effort to end veteran homelessness can be described in one word "Nonexistant".
Nonexistent? There are some
Nonexistent? There are some studies that indicate Veteran homelessness has decreased by as much as 50% in the last six years. HUD 2015 Report: Decline in Veteran Homelessness
HUD Secretary Julián Castro recently announced HUD’s latest national one-night estimate of homelessness, highlighting a continuing decline across the nation. HUD’s 2015 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress found that there has been an overall 11 percent decrease and 26 percent drop in the unsheltered homeless population since 2010, when President Obama launchedOpening Doors, the nation’s first-ever comprehensive strategy to prevent and end homelessness. Between 2010 and January 2015, veteran homelessness declined 36 percent, family homelessness declined 19 percent, and chronic homelessness declined 22 percent
"F" Failure
"F" Failure
With all the empty buildings the government owns "All veterans should have a roof over their head, and hot meals.
Since history suggests that
Since history suggests that the Gov. cannot manage "anything", the funding should be used to let contracts out to private firms to manage the projects, then put under the review of Veterans Affairs.
How many are homeless
How many are homeless veterans and how many are homeless who happen to be veterans? Meaning life decisions made after service, not connected to their service, that resulted in their current predicament? I have no sympathy for those who put themselves in that situation, and the government owes them nothing.
Be careful fartface fred. you
Be careful fartface fred. you might one day be homeless!
I would not make the life
I would not make the life choices to put myself in that situation, as most homeless people do. If I did, I would not expect you or anyone else to feel sorry for me just because I am a veteran.
It's a disgrace, enough said.
It's a disgrace, enough said.
From what I've read there
From what I've read there have been great successes and many failures all over the country; it's very spotty. Yet that is how it will be solved, at the local level. Federal efforts will be just "one-size-fits-all" and will not work. Federal funds should be directed to the local level where local people are in direct contact with the homeless.
Any effort to reduce homelessness must include mental health assessments. Many homeless, veterans or civilians, have mental illnesses that compel them to avoid any kind of structured environment or authority; they just want to be left alone to face their "demons". No effort to reduce homelessness that does not also include mental health help will fail.
For those homeless, veteran or civilian, who are just down on their luck, affordable housing should be the first step. From what I've read, for many homeless families, without a roof over their head nothing else matters.
As long as the GOP Congress
As long as the GOP Congress continues to vote against Veterans, the homeless problem will continue to be terrible.
Homelessness is a problem of
Homelessness is a problem of both Parties. Lack of a good 3 r`s education. Lack of work in society for all. Older Immigrants taking teenager jobs in fast food, after school jobs. Lack of Parenting, or Single Parent only. Start the Draft, Men and Women, in Conservation, EnCampments for capable workers to learn Self-Discipline and Survival in the World. Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, CampFire Girls does work, with encouragement from adults in their lives. Need more? Back to Tough Love. As said in the US Army: KickButt and Take Names! Liberalism needs to go. Responsibility for One`s Actions, if there is any available. Instead of Disability, Unemployment, Free Money, Food Stamp cards. "GET A LIFE! Uncle Sam is Your Uncle, Not Your Daddy". (Old 60`s sayings).
They want to spend there our
They want to spend there our tax dollars on the refugee's and to hell with our vetrans and the same attitude concerning the V.A. health system. In short congress and that poor excuse for a president just dont give a crap cause there is no money in it for them personally
I discovered some number of
I discovered some number of years ago that by the strictest of definitions used by the VA that I am in fact a "homeless" veteran even though I do have a roof over my head. The specifics of that are a very long story!!
As a proud veteran of the
As a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corp I would like to see the homeless veterans off the street though think the problem is hardly one of the military. It is an American problem and should be addressed by all Americans. A civilized society should just not allow their people to go hungry, without medical care or without a roof over their head.
It is an issue though of debate year after year between Republicans and Democrats. Republicans believe one should pull themselves up by their own bootstraps and Democrats believe we should help thy neighbor. Who is right? Both are. So the issue should address these political concerns by both providing better funding for the homeless and at the same time a real rewards system where you can get off the streets and the harder you work the further you can be successful in terms of increasing ones lifestyle. So provide more opportunities for the homeless.
The reason I am against singling out the veterans is when we are at war we all suffer. Perhaps you didn't carry an M16 around though you might have a brother who did that lost his life. The point is suffering is collateral damage to all Americans at war not just the enlisted man or woman. So I try not to judge why a person is homeless, there could be a myriad of reasons. In other words, one can be a veteran and homeless though the homelessness was caused by a significantly different variable than having served in the military. The issue therefore is helping the homeless, period. Let's pick them all up. Together we stand - divided we fall!
Roman T im in agreement with
Roman T im in agreement with you well said. The issue is serious but it is more of a local problem. When we as americans can get up and do something at a local level then i believe we will have more success. Seems like the money you throw at a problem like this is not the answer.
Individuals at local level coming together can accomplish more. Why because each locality have different reasons for cause of homelessness. All local organizations and individual citizens should come together to work on this problem. Then we can begin to see the issues resolve itself. When one community sees success then share it with other communities so that they can chose whats works best for them to clear up the problem. As a whole, We as Americans I believe have a compassionate heart for each of us who have legitimate problems. A "cookie cutter" response to a problem such as homelessness is not always the answer.