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The veteran population is at a high risk to become homeless due to the many hardships they face as they transition back to civilian life. Due to the increasing number of veterans not being to afford adequate housing or any housing at all, the VA offers several housing assistance programs to help veterans and their families to find a more suitable and living situation. The U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development – VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH), has provided more than 105,000 vouchers to help house Veterans across the country as of December 20, 2020.

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Administration, V. H. (2009, June 10). Veterans Affairs. Go to
VA.gov. Retrieved September 8, 2022, from
https://www.va.gov/health/aboutVHA.
asp#:~:text=The%20Veterans%20Health%
20Administration%20(VHA,Veterans%20
enrolled%20in%20the%20VA

Community Solutions. (2021, September 29). Youtube.com.

Retrieved September 6, 2022, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okgr7xt6CpQ

Foundation, N., 2022. Veteran Mental Health - Facts and
Stats that need to be  Addressed. [online] National
Veterans Foundation. Available at: <https:// nvf.org
/veteran-mental-health-facts-statistics/> [Accessed 5
September 2022].

Health, V. H. A. O. of M. (2010, May 27). Housing
Assistance for Veterans . Go to VA.gov. Retrieved
September 8, 2022, from
https://www.va.gov/homeless/housing.asp

McElhinny, G., 2022. Veterans and Poverty - NVHS. [online]
NVHS. Available  at: <https://nvhs.org/veterans-and
poverty/> [Accessed 5 September 2022].

Nonwhite veterans have higher rates of housing
instability.National Low Income Housing
Coalition. (2020, February 24). Retrieved September 8,
2022, from https://nlihc.org/resource/nonwhite-
Veterans-have-higher-rates-housing-instability

NPR.org. 2022. Challenging Assumptions Made About
Veterans.  [online] Available at: <https://www.npr.org
/2009/05/25/104519894/
challenging-assumptions-made-about-veterans>
[Accessed 5 September 2022].

Salute Americas Heroes. (n.d.). Retrieved September 7,
2022, from https://saluteheroes.org/

Student Veterans of America®. (n.d.). Retrieved September
6, 2022, from https://studentveterans.org/wp-content/
uploads/2021/10/SVA-2020-Annual-Report.pdf

Take Charge America. (n.d.). Retrieved September 5, 2022,
from https://www.takechargeamerica.org/

USAFacts. 2022. National Defense & Foreign Aid -
USAFacts. {online]  Available at: <https://usafacts.org
/data/topics/security-safety
/national-defense-and-foreign-aid/#veterans-affairs>
[Accessed 5 September 2022].

Veterans Breakfast Club. 2022. Challenging Assumptions
About Veterans - Veterans Breakfast
Club. [online] Available at
<https://veteransbreakfastclub.org/challenging-
assumptions-about-veterans/> [Accessed 5 September
2022].

Veteran Crisis Line. (n.d.). Retrieved September 5, 2022,
from https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/

Veteran or service member rights. Concerns: Veteran or
service member rights - Worker.gov. (n.d.). Retrieved
September 8, 2022, from https://www.worker.gov
/concerns/veteran-or-service-member-rights
/#:~:text=Under%20the%20Uniformed%20
Services%20Employment,to%20join%20the%
20uniformed%20services.

WSOCTV9. (2020, February 19). Youtube.com. Retrieved
September 5, 2022, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pnA6atJS8Q

2022. [online] Available at: <https://helpvet.net/homeless-
veterans-why-our-nations- heroes-are-such-vulnerable-
population/> [Accessed 5 September 2022].

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https://www.worker.gov/concerns/veteran-or-service-member-rights/#:~:text=Under%20the%20Uniformed%20Services%20Employment,to%20join%20the%20uniformed%20services.

Under the Uniformed Employment and Reemployment Rights Acts of 1994 protects veterans from discrimination in the work force. Veterans can not be discriminated against in the hiring process, promoting process, and can not be fired simply for being a veteran. However, veterans do not have much training for returning to civilian life. There is another social determinate about education with plays a role in the employment process. If a veteran does not have a the tool to obtain a life sustaining job they will not be able to obtain adequate health care.

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You have certain employment protections as a veteran or service member.

Two federal laws prohibit discrimination in employment based on your status as a veteran or service member. Under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, you're protected from discrimination based on your prior service in the uniformed services; current service in the uniformed services; or intent to join the uniformed services. This is regardless of whether your employer is a private employer, the federal government, a state government, or local government. You may also be protected against discrimination under the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) if you are an employee of a federal contractor or subcontractor and meet the definition of a " protected veteran." Additionally, under both laws, your employer is also prohibited from discriminating against you because of your attempt to enforce your rights or someone else's rights.

For example, your current or any future employer cannot:

terminate you,

fail to promote you,

fail to hire you,

fail to reemploy you, or

fail to give you benefits that others received either while you were at work or while you were deployed

because you are a veteran or service member.

Questions? We're here to help.

We are committed to helping you understand your rights as a worker. Many questions about your rights may be answered by using the following elaws (Employment Laws Assistance for Workers and Small Businesses) Advisors:

For additional assistance, please contact:

Learn about filing a complaint

We'll help you decide what to do next and determine whether filing a complaint is the best course of action.

If you feel you have been discriminated against because of your status as a veteran or service member or because you have attempted to enforce your rights, or someone else's rights, as a veteran or service member, you have the right to file a complaint and participate in an investigation without being retaliated against by an employer.

File with VETS File with OFCCP

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You have certain employment protections as a veteran or service member. Two federal laws prohibit discrimination in employment based on your status as a veteran or service member. Under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, you're protected from discrimination based on your prior service in the uniformed services; current service in the uniformed services; or intent to join the uniformed services.

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https://www.va.gov/health/aboutVHA.asp#:~:text=The%20Veterans%20Health%20Administration%20(VHA,Veterans%20enrolled%20in%20the%20VA

The Veterans Health Administration is integrated throughout the United States. With almost 1,300 medical facilities, which includes 170 medical centers, care can be utilized for a large amount of people. However, if veterans are only utilizing VHA services, they must be within commuting distance to achieve care. Some barriers that could prevent a veteran from being able get transportation to a healthcare facility is if they are living in poverty and if they are homeless. The lack of transportation to a VA or non-VA healthcare facility decreases the chance that the veteran will go to routine screenings and checkups and possibility of them just getting medical attention only in emergent situations.

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The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 VA Medical Centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program.

Where is the Nearest Medical Center or other Health Care Facility?

Use the Facility Locator to find the VA medical facility that will best meet your health care needs using a variety of search methods including using your ZIP code.

Common Medical Center Services

VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy.

In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.

Patient Advocates

Available at every medical center, Patient Advocates are highly trained professionals who can help resolve your concerns about any aspect of your health care experience, particularly those concerns that cannot be resolved at the point of care. Patient Advocates listen to any questions, problems, or special needs you have and refer your concerns to the appropriate Medical Center staff for resolution.

Select Publications
VHA 2021 Key Accomplishments
VHA Long-Range Plan Framework
20 Reasons Doctors Like Working for VHA
VHA Long-Range Plan

VHA Mission

Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

VHA Vision

VHA will continue to be the benchmark of excellence and value in health care and benefits by providing exemplary services that are both patient centered and evidence based.

This care will be delivered by engaged, collaborative teams in an integrated environment that supports learning, discovery and continuous improvement.

It will emphasize prevention and population health and contribute to the nation's well-being through education, research and service in National emergencies.

VHA Leadership

The Under Secretary for Health directs a health care system with an annual budget of approximately $68 billion, overseeing the delivery of care to more than 9 million enrolled Veterans. VA, the nation's largest health care system, employs more than 371,000 health care professionals and support staff at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 VA Medical Centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics).

VHA is the nation's largest provider of graduate medical education and a major contributor to medical and scientific research. More than 25,000 active volunteers, 113,000 health professions trainees, and nearly 16,000 affiliated medical faculty are also an integral part of the VHA community.

VHA Offices and Programs

A number of offices and programs support VHA.

VA National Standards of Practice

VA recently affirmed its right under the U.S. Constitution to allow VA health care professionals to operate in every State and to establish national standards of practice. To that end, VA leadership, the Veterans Health Administration and VHA program offices are working to develop these national standards of practice. The VA national standards of practice will be a standardized set of services that all health care professionals in a given occupation can perform if their facility performs such services and they have the proper education, training and skill.

Visit the national standards of practice website for more information and updates: www.va.gov/standardsofpractice.

Our Providers
* From the National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics - www.va.gov/vetdata and the VHA FY16 Annual Report - https://www.va.gov/HEALTH/docs/VHA_AR16.pdf
The " Our Providers" online directory lists the primary licensed independent practice providers who may be a lead, ongoing member of your treatment team at the respective VA medical center. Providers in the following occupations are listed on this website: physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, physician assistants, chiropractors, certified registered nurse anesthetists, optometrists, podiatrists, and psychologists.

By using this tool, you will be able to do a search of providers in the occupations listed above based upon your preferences and needs. For each provider, you will see the following: full name; gender; clinical product line to which they are "assigned"; where they received their medical training; and the school from which they received their medical degree. This information will be "refreshed" on a monthly basis. There may be staff who have been hired or who have departed the medical center since the last refresh of information.

For additional information on physicians, we also encourage you to use the "DocInfo" service offered by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) at http://www.docinfo.org. The FSMB website is updated monthly and is a public website to provide information related to any physician who is licensed in any US state, territory, or district.

Useful Terms

Healthcare System: In many areas of the country, several medical centers and clinics may work together to offer services to area Veterans as a Healthcare System (HCS) in an effort to provide more efficient care. By sharing services between medical centers, Healthcare Systems allow VHA to provide Veterans easier access to advanced medical care closer to their homes.

Examples of Healthcare Systems include the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System which serves the Pittsburgh area of Pennsylvania, and the VA Puget Sound Healthcare System which serves the Seattle and Tacoma areas of Washington state.

Community-Based Outpatient Clinic: To make access to health care easier, VHA utilizes Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) across the country. These clinics provide the most common outpatient services, including health and wellness visits, without the hassle of visiting a larger medical center. VHA continues to expand the network of CBOCs to include more rural locations, putting access to care closer to home.

Community Living Center: Community Living Centers (CLC) are skilled nursing facilities, often referred to as nursing homes. Veterans with chronic stable conditions such as dementia, those requiring rehabilitation or those who need comfort and care at the end of life are served within one of our Community Living Centers*.

Domiciliary: VHA Domiciliaries* provide a variety of care to Veterans who suffer from a wide range of medical, psychiatric, vocational, educational, or social problems and illnesses in a safe, secure homelike environment.

Vet Center: Vet Centers provide readjustment counseling and outreach services to all Veterans who served in any combat zone. Services are also available for family members dealing with military related issues. VHA operates community based Vet Centers* in all fifty states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.

Veterans Integrated Services Network: The U.S. is divided into 18 Veterans Integrated Service Networks, or VISNs - regional systems of care working together to better meet local health care needs and provides greater access to care.

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The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 VA Medical Centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program.

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Many veterans while they were actively serving put that as their number one priority and put all their energy and time into serving and therefore delaying getting higher education for many that strive for a degree or certification. According to the Student Veterans of America in 2020, about a million veterans were currently enrolled as students.  Veteran students compared to non-veteran students are older with most of them being between 24-35 years old with this brining more challenges such as having children, being married, needing to have a part or full time job, and having a disability. These challenges in addition to the typical challenges of being a college student only have about a 54% completion rate, according the SVA report.  Those veterans that are not able to get the higher education have a more difficult time getting a good paying job, which cascades them to not being financially unstable that could lead to poverty and homelessness.

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Through a network of more than 1,500 on-campus chapters, Student Veterans of America® ensures that student veterans and military-connected students achieve their greatest potential.

LEARN MORE DONATE

Student Veterans of America® is the premier organization leading service, research, programs, and advocacy for veterans in higher education.

Our mission is to act as a catalyst for student veteran success by providing resources, network support and advocacy to, through, and beyond higher education.

Find a Chapter

Use our chapter directory to connect with student veterans near you.

Find A Chapter

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Through a network of more than 1,500 on-campus chapters, Student Veterans of America® ensures that student veterans and military-connected students achieve their greatest potential. LEARN MORE DONATE Our mission is to act as a catalyst for student veteran success by providing resources, network support and advocacy to, through, and beyond higher education.

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https://nlihc.org/resource/nonwhite-veterans-have-higher-rates-housing-instability

The National Low Income Housing Coalition published a study giving to Veteran Health Administration. The study was conducted using a Homelessness Screening Clinical Reminder (HSCR). Out of the 5,355,858 responses, 147,771 screened positive for housing instabilities. The rate of poverty within the veteran population is increasing and they are at a higher risk to be in poverty if they are disabled. The millions of veterans in the U.S. that fall below the poverty line, which directly correlates with them also experiencing food and housing instability.

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An article in Housing Policy Debate, " Housing Instability and Homeless Program Use Among Veterans: The Intersection of Race, Sex, and Homelessness," looks at the variation in housing instability among veterans by race and sex. Comparing rates of reported housing instability and rates of Veteran Health Administration (VHA) program use, the authors find that nonwhite veterans have greater odds of reporting housing instability and greater odds of participating in VHA programs.

The authors examined responses to the Homelessness Screening Clinical Reminder (HSCR) survey administered to all veteran outpatients at VHA health care facilities. Between October 2012 and March 2016, there were 5,355,858 responses to the HSCR, and 147,771 respondents screened positive for housing instability. Respondents screened positive if they indicated that they had not been living in a stable home they own, rent, or stay in as part of a household in the past two months, or if they were concerned that they might not have stable housing in the next two months. The authors also collected information about veterans' race, sex, age, marital status, VA Enrollment Priority Group as a proxy for income, exposure to combat, experience of military sexual trauma, mental health conditions, substance abuse disorders, and chronic medical conditions. Collecting this information allowed the authors to control for other variables when looking at the relationship between housing instability, race, and sex.

Among the 5.3 million veterans who responded to the HSCR, 76.1% were white men, 14.7% were Black men, 4.6% were white women, 2.2% were Black women, 1.6% were Asian/Pacific Islander men, 0.6% were American Indian/Alaska Native men, 0.2% were Asian/Pacific Islander women, and 0.1% were American Indian/Alaska Native women. White men were underrepresented among those reporting housing instability, as they made up 59% of that group, while all other race/sex combinations were overrepresented. For example, Black men made up 27.6% of those reporting housing instability, and Black women made up 4.1%.

Women generally and in each racial category had higher rates of housing instability than men. The women who responded to the HSCR screen, though, were different from the male respondents in several ways beyond their sex - for example, women veterans are younger. After the authors examined the 5.3 million responses to the HSCR, they built two models to control for variables such as age, marital status, exposure to combat, and mental health conditions. Controlling for these variables separates the effect that each has on the likelihood of experiencing housing instability from the effects that race or sex has, which allows the authors to take a closer look at the relationship between race and housing instability or sex and housing instability. Younger ages, being unmarried, having experienced military sexual trauma, and having a mental health diagnosis were all associated with higher odds of housing instability. When taking into account all of these other variables, the authors found that nonwhite veterans and veterans identifying as Hispanic had increased odds of housing instability. Perhaps surprisingly, they found that women had lower odds for screening positive for housing instability. Their research suggests that higher rates of housing instability among women are explained by other factors, like their younger age.

The authors also examined the proportion of veterans in each race/sex category who used a VHA homeless program within six months of screening positive for housing stability. The lowest rates of VHA homeless-program use were among veterans aged 65 years or older, across all race/sex categories. A greater proportion of Black men and women and American Indian/Alaska Native men with an indicator of depression, psychosis, suicide ideation, or substance abuse accessed VHA programs compared to white men and women. Asian/Pacific Islander men and women and American Indian/Alaska Native women with these indicators had lower rates of VHA homeless program use.

In discussing their findings, the authors emphasize that nonwhite veterans are disproportionately represented among veterans who screen positive for housing instability and that they have higher rates of VHA homeless program utilization. While this study does not examine the quality of care received, the authors infer that there is no evidence of disparities in accessing care that would disadvantage racial and ethnic minority veterans. The authors caution that their study sample contains only veterans who accessed VHA outpatient care, so the results may not be generalized to the entire veteran population.

"Housing Instability and Homeless Program Use Among Veterans: The Intersection of Race, Sex, and Homelessness" is at: https://bit.ly/37JAPsr

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Nonwhite Veterans Have Higher Rates of Housing Instability

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An article in Housing Policy Debate, "Housing Instability and Homeless Program Use Among Veterans: The Intersection of Race, Sex, and Homelessness," looks at the variation in housing instability among veterans by race and sex.

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Free and confidential 24/7 support for veterans and their loved ones if experiencing a crisis and do not have to be enrolled in VA benefits or healthcare to use.

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24/7, confidential crisis support for Veterans and their loved ones. Contact the Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988 then Press 1, chat online, or text 838255.

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False assumption that are made about our veterans are that they are difficult to relate to, they want to hear thank you from civilians, or they enlisted because they had no other options. They are either viewed as heroes or charity cases. These individuals are heroes and may need support and assistance, but it is truly a disservice to believe they are a charity case. Transition into civilian life from their previous life of rank, purpose, and clear responsibility can be difficult and take time to be successful. But this is not the case for all. Enlistment into the armed forces includes a wide diversity of individuals including all socioeconomic backgrounds. It is wrong to stereotype our veterans and see them as anything less than the potential that they hold.

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Temporary Financial Assistance Decreasing Health Cost

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Temporary Financial Assistance Decreasing Health Cost

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The Support Services for Veterans Family program found on average health cost was lowered by $352 for families who are facing housing insecurities.

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If the address matches an existing account you will receive an email with instructions to reset your password.

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The VA has a homeless program whose mission is to assist Veterans in acquiring housing that is suitable for themselves and their families as well as having access to health care and supportive services. Their mission is to:
Making an end to homelessness among Veterans a top priority.

Leading with an evidence-based, Housing First approach.

Reaching underserved Veterans.

Ensuring the delivery of quality supportive services.

Increasing the supply of and access to affordable housing

Takechargeamerica.org has several financial resources available for veterans that may need monetary assistance

Saluteheroes.org is another website available that has many different resources available for veterans that includes child care, emergency assistance, medical, housing, legal, peer support, recreation, different organizations and miscellaneous such as service dogs.

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Charlotte NC, resources to help veterans start their own businesses

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Charlotte NC, resources to help veterans start their own businesses

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Organization works to help Charlotte veterans start their own businesses

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Charlotte NC, works to end veteran homelessness

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Charlotte NC, works to end veteran homelessness

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Charlotte, North Carolina, reduces veteran homelessness

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Poverty itself encompasses many different aspects of life including available housing, affordable housing, disabilities, employment and mental health. All of these aspects have the ability to positively or negatively affect each other. Poverty among veterans is relevant in particular due to its consistent correlation to homelessness with veterans. Most veterans spend over 50% of the money they make on housing leaving little income left to cover other living expenses such as utilities, food, and gas. This can be a stressful balance for veterans to achieve, especially if they are also dealing with disability or mental illness.

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Many veterans have service related disabilities. Many of this disabilities include missing limbs, spinal cord injuries, burns, traumatic brain injuries, PTSD or other forms of mental illness, and loss of some senses. These ailments in themselves can be obstacles in self care, employment, and health. But amazingly enough, not all veterans are approved for VA benefits which further complicates the situation. It is important that we are able to support our veterans, especially our disabled veterans, in securing employment, receiving proper healthcare and allowing them the opportunity to regain their pride and be a productive member of society. They fought for us, we should fight for them.

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As you can see, veterans make up a large portion of the population in the United States. Their concerns and issues impact us as a nation for many reasons. They have dedicated a portion of their life to serve and protect their country. Many come back to transition into civilian life with physical disabilities, mental illness, lack of purpose, and difficulty fitting into this new life. In supporting our veterans, we essentially support our own way of life. Helping veterans integrate themselves into civilian life successfully can only encourage and feed our economy, our community and our sense of pride. Veterans are a significant group of men and women who deserve our appreciation.

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20% of veterans who return from active duty come home with some type of mental disorder or illness. These illnesses include such diagnoses as PTSD, major depressive disorder, and traumatic brain injury. Obstacles that can be an issue for these veterans dealing with mental health concerns can be pride, inability to be seen due to long wait times, transportation issues with the resources location being too far away, inability to accept their condition, stigma that comes with acknowledging a mental illness, and not being aware of the resources and services available to veterans for these conditions.