VETERAN HOMELESSNESS

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development estimates that approximately 40,000 military veterans are homeless on any given night. A complex set of factors can lead to homelessness, including a shortage of affordable housing, lack of access to health care, military-related trauma, substance abuse, lack of family and social networks, and lack of transferrable employment experience. No veterans should live on the streets they served to protect. The CLMP's Homeless Division is tasked with identifying ways to ensure all veterans have access to secure housing, healthcare, substance abuse treatment, and job training and assessment. 

The transition from military to civilian life is not an easy one, which is a leading reason why so many veterans experience homelessness. Dishonorable discharges, often following alcohol and drug use that stems from traumatic experiences like military sexual assault or combat also play a large part.

We must acknowledge the experiences of our veterans, advance healthcare for them and their families, and continually examine and improve upon existing policies and transition programs so these numbers decrease.