An Alarming Increase in Homelessness
Homelessness among American veterans has experienced its largest surge in recent years, according to the latest data released by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. In January, the homeless population reached a staggering 650,000 individuals, marking a record high. Among this number, over 35,000 were veterans. This represents a 7% increase in homelessness among veterans, the highest spike since 2009.
A Record-Breaking Homeless Population
The United States witnessed an unprecedented surge in homelessness, with over 650,000 people found to be homeless on a single night in January. This point-in-time analysis conducted by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development highlights the severity of the issue. Among these individuals, approximately 7% were veterans, accounting for more than 35,000 homeless veterans. Of this group, around 20,000 were sheltered, while 15,500 were unsheltered.
A Higher Likelihood of Homelessness Among Veterans
According to the analysis, the rate of homelessness among veterans is somewhat higher compared to the general population in the United States. The data reveals that at the time of the analysis, approximately 22 out of every 10,000 veterans were homeless. This finding emphasizes the need for targeted support and assistance to address this pressing issue.
Limitations of the Data
It is important to note that the data collected by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development has some limitations. The department has been tracking homeless veterans since 2009, and the available data for 2020-2021 is incomplete due to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, despite these limitations, the increase in homelessness among veterans from 2022 to 2023 is the most significant since the department began conducting its point-in-time analysis in 2009. The analysis revealed a 7% increase, equivalent to an additional 2,445 homeless veterans.
Addressing the Issue
While the surge in homelessness among veterans is cause for concern, the Department of Veterans Affairs recently announced that it had achieved its goal of housing a total of 38,000 veterans in 2023. However, the department remains committed to further efforts in providing safe and stable housing for all veterans in the country. Veteran Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough stated, "While we met our goals for 2023, we're not stopping here. We're going to keep pushing — through the end of this calendar year and beyond — until every Veteran has a safe, stable place to call home in this country they fought to defend."
Source: Business Insider
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By: kbalevic@insider.com (Katie Balevic)
Title: Homelessness Among American Veterans Reaches Record High
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/homelessness-us-veterans-increase-largest-margin-yet-2023-12
Published Date: Sat, 16 Dec 2023 20:26:48 +0000
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