News Double your chances of being homeless: Join the military

[Jimmy Snyder]

VA offers a wide array of special programs and initiatives specifically designed to help homeless veterans live as self-sufficiently and independently as possible. In fact,VA is the only Federal agency that provides substantial hands-on assistance directly to homeless persons. Although limited to veterans and their dependents, VA's major homeless-specific programs constitute the largest integrated network of homeless treatment and assistance services in the country.

VA's specialized homeless veterans treatment programs have grown and developed since they were first authorized in 1987. The programs strive to offer a continuum of services that include:

-aggressive outreach to those veterans living on streets and in shelters who otherwise would not seek assistance;
-clinical assessment and referral to needed medical treatment for physical and psychiatric disorders, including substance abuse;
-long-term sheltered transitional assistance, case management, and rehabilitation;
-employment assistance and linkage with available income supports; and supported permanent housing.

But what would be the motivation for making the claim if it weren't true?

 

[chemisttree]

To obtain services, funding or sympathy that would otherwise be unavailable.

 

[Jimmy Snyder]

To obtain services, funding or sympathy that would otherwise be unavailable.

From who? Surely not the Homelessness Research Institute!

 

[drankin]

Actually the definition of veteran is anyone who once served in the military.

No war required...

I suppose you are right though the Random House dictionary does not specify that. For example, if someone is a cop for 3 years and then leaves the force, he isn't regarded as a police veteran. I'm used to the term veteran being used as someone who served during a time of war.

 

[chemisttree]

From who? Surely not the Homelessness Research Institute!

http://www1.va.gov/homeless/docs/GPD_Regs_38_CFR_Part_61.pdf

C'mon Jimmy. You're not that naive.

 

[Jimmy Snyder]

[C'mon Jimmy. You're not that naive.

The VA provides 'services, funding or sympathy' to people who are not veterans, but who claim to be?

 

[chemisttree]

Remember that STAFF fills out the questionnaires. They get per diems and grants for veterans in their care based on an enumeration.
A homeless man holding a sign that says "Veteran - Please Help" is the example that leaps to mind regarding the sympathy. It beats the alternative 'Mentally Ill -Please Help' or 'Addicted - Please Help'. I used to see signs that read "Will work for food" long ago but not so much these days. With the ongoing war, the veteran claim must work better.

 

[Jimmy Snyder]

Thanks Chemisttree, now I understand. So we would expect that using this methodology we would find 100% of homeless people are vets. The only reason we don't is that 75% of homeless people are too stupid to realize that they should claim to be veterans.

 

[Huckleberry]

I pretty much agree with Russ. With the exception of some kind of mental trauma incurred while in service, the military does not 'create' homeless people IMO.

Hey, my brother is a high-school dropout who joined the army. Before he was allowed to join, the army arranged for him to take the test to receive a GED. After he received his GED he was allowed to enter. I don't think it is customary for the military to enlist individuals without at least a GED.

How's this idea? The military enlists from a large range of individuals but typically they share the traits of being young males. Could there be something that young men are missing during the years that they are enlisted that would enable them to succeed in civilian life? Do they feel inferior in some way to their civilian peers, who are already developed in their relationships and careers, whereas the recently discharged veteran may be more likely to be just beginning to develop these areas?

 

[Jimmy Snyder]

I pretty much agree with Russ. With the exception of some kind of mental trauma incurred while in service, the military does not 'create' homeless people IMO.

Hey, my brother is a high-school dropout who joined the army. Before he was allowed to join, the army arranged for him to take the test to receive a GED. After he received his GED he was allowed to enter. I don't think it is customary for the military to enlist individuals without at least a GED.

How's this idea? The military enlists from a large range of individuals but typically they share the traits of being young males. Could there be something that young men are missing during the years that they are enlisted that would enable them to succeed in civilian life? Do they feel inferior in some way to their civilian peers, who are already developed in their relationships and careers, whereas the recently discharged veteran may be more likely to be just beginning to develop these areas?

So does the military 'create' homeless people or doesn't it?

 

[Huckleberry]

It's my opinion that it doesn't, but I've been wrong before. I'm just throwing an idea out there. I'm not invested in being right in this case.