by Greg Dunn

Created on: April 20, 2009   Last Updated: May 11, 2009

On any give day, up to 150,000 veterans are out on the streets homeless. They make up one third of the homeless population. Studies have shown there is direct correlation between the large numbers of the homeless veteran's to their experiences they received while in the military. 45% of the homeless veterans suffer from mental illness and an estimated 66% suffer from drug and/or alcohol abuse. There are people and organizations out there that want to help these veterans to their regain dignity and control of their lifes. They want these "Vets" to become self-sufficient and able to experience the freedom they helped preserved while they were wearing the uniform.

The following are two organizations with nationwide programs that assist homeless vets. One is a federal agency. The other is a non-profit private group.

DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN AFFAIRS (VA)

The VA is the only Federal Agency that provides special programs, initiatives and hands on assistance in an attempt to get homeless veterans to become self-sufficient. Some of the programs the VA offers are:

*Physical and mental heath treatment, to include substance abuse.

*Offer funding to provide transitional housing.

*Drop in Centers where the veteran can come wash clothes and participate in therapy activities.

*The VA excess property initiative provides federal excess property as hats, parkas, footwear, sleeping bags and socks to be distributed to homeless veterans and programs.

*Provide special funded staff that is targeted to reach homeless veterans to give them special attention, benefits counseling, referrals and assistance to qualify for VA programs. The counselors visit over 4,700 homeless facilities annually, meeting with over 24,000 homeless veterans providing counseling and referrals to other programs.

For more information on the VA Homeless Program, visit http://www1.va.gov/Homeless/ or call 1-800-827-1000.

THE NATIONAL COALITION FOR HOMELESS VETERANS (NCHV)

The NCHV Is a non-profit organization that serves as a national network of local, state and federal agencies that provides emergency and supportive housing to thousands of homeless veterans annually. By NCHV acting as a national liaison of care providers, in addition to housing vets; they are able to coordinate food, health services, job training and placement assistance and legal aid.

The NCHV was formed in 1990 by a group of small group of providers who were concerned by the large percentage of homeless veterans. Today, as a liaison center for a national network of community-based providers they are able to provide assistance to homeless veterans by guiding them to programs at all levels; local, state or federal. For emergency or transitional housing you can visit their website http://www.nchv.org/wheretogo.cfm or call 1-800-838-4357 (1-800-VET-HELP).

Learn more about this author, Greg Dunn.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.