American Opinion: Securing housing for veterans, long a priority, shows progress - Grand Forks Herald

Too many of our nation’s veterans struggle with homelessness and hopelessness. Across the U.S. and here in Virginia, we must continue our efforts to give those who have served the support they need to live safe, rewarding lives when their time in uniform is over.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs said in September that it had found shelter for 43,116 homeless veterans between October 2023 and August of this year. That exceeded the agency’s goal of housing 41,000 veterans in the 2024 fiscal year, which ended Sept. 30.

While it’s great that the VA exceeded its goal for housing homeless veterans this past fiscal year, it’s troubling that so many of those who served our country were left without a place to live.

Homelessness is often linked to other chronic problems common to many veterans. Substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, disabilities, loneliness, depression and other mental and emotional health problems are all too common. Some veterans have difficulty adjusting to the civilian workplace and finding jobs that utilize their skills.

All of these problems contribute to the high suicide rate among veterans, especially older veterans. National statistics show that veterans have a 57% higher risk of suicide than those who have never served. The National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report for 2023 states that approximately 17 veterans die by suicide every day, an 11% increase from the previous year.

So it’s concerning that the national suicide hotline for veterans has been plagued by technical problems over the past year. Multiple service disruptions made it difficult and sometimes impossible for veterans in crisis to get help.

The veterans hotline – accessible by calling the national hotline number 988 and then pressing 1 – has counselors working 24 hours a day. Sometimes a veteran contemplating suicide needs immediate attention. Often all the veterans need to do is talk to someone who will listen and suggest help so that the situation does not become critical.

Senator Jon Tester of Montana, chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, has urged the VA to make the reliability of its hotline service a priority. It is tragic when a veteran feels so hopeless, but even worse when that veteran calls out for help and is not heard.

Meanwhile, there has been some progress in the fight against homelessness. Since the beginning of 2020, the number of homeless veterans has fallen by more than 4%; since 2010 the decline has been over 52%.

The VA and the Biden-Harris administration have made preventing and eliminating homelessness among veterans a top priority. The goal is to first get veterans housing and then help them stay there.

Among other efforts, the VA awarded more than $800 million in grants through its Homeless Veterans and Veterans Families programs in August. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the VA announced over the summer that changes will make it easier for more veterans to get help through their joint housing program.

These efforts are important because the rate of homelessness among veterans is disproportionately high. About 10% of Americans have served in the military, but nearly 13% of homeless adults are veterans.

Virginia, with its large veteran population, has worked hard to reduce homelessness. In 2015, Virginia became the first state to meet the federal government’s definition of effectively ending homelessness among veterans: every known veteran had a home, except those who refused assistance. Concentrated efforts on the Peninsula and South Hampton Roads helped reach this milestone.

Then came the disruptions of COVID and rising housing costs, and the number of homeless veterans began to rise again.

Whether they were drafted into military service, as is the case with many older veterans, or volunteered to serve since the draft ended in 1973, our veterans deserve thanks, respect and honor. They also deserve continued support to help them build safe, healthy lives – a life with decent homes and hope for a fulfilling future.