VA Chief: No More Homeless Vets in 5 Years

Secretary Eric Shinseki Warns Improvements of Recent Years Could be Lost Because of Bad Economy

(AP)  Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki on Tuesday unveiled a plan to end veterans' homelessness in five years, saying that without action the improvements of recent years could be lost because of the bad economy.

Shinseki said the VA will spend $3.2 billion next year to reduce homelessness among veterans and is working to strengthen partnerships with other government agencies and service organizations. He said he recognizes that a goal of zero homeless veterans is ambitious but that he wants a high target so that everyone puts in their best efforts.

"My name is Shinseki and I'm here to end veteran homelessness," he said at the beginning of a speech to 1,200 service providers at a VA summit.

In the past, the VA focused largely on getting homeless veterans off the streets, but Shinseki said he wants to prevent them from ever going homeless. One area for potential improvement, he said, is finding jobs and homes for the estimated 56,000 veterans who leave prisons each year.

About one-third of all adult homeless men and nearly one-fifth of all homeless adults served in the military.

About 3 percent of the overall homeless population served in Iraq or Afghanistan. About 3,700 from the recent wars have been seen in VA homeless outreach programs and more than 550 have been treated in a VA-connected residential program.

It is estimated that 130,000 veterans are homeless on a typical night in the U.S. Shinseki said that is down from 195,000 six years ago. But, because of the poor economy, he said up to 15 percent more veterans could be on the streets in five years.

"That's not going to happen. We're going to go the other way," Shinseki said. "You all didn't work for the past six years to see things reversed."

Shinseki added: "Even in tough economic times this is still the wealthiest, most powerful nation in the world and no veteran should be living on the streets without care and without hope."

[robinlynnelafayette1]

Ok so thats great, the viet nam vets and those leaving prison. well there are plenty of us who cannot work, are not drug addicted or in the correctional system, not lazy, just unable to work or keep a home due to ptsd or other mental illness's. I was homeless for 10 years, and was taking my meds and making my appointments (in compliance) and there was absolutley nothing for me and others like me still in the same condition. what about that mr. va chief. you guys spout of all these ideas but you need to do some grass roots and talk to the people out there and find out about our stories. we are much more than your stats show, and you can/t lump us all into a category, cause you leave many of us falling thru the cracks

[babooph]

Want to bet -not all those poor Nam guys will be dead& the new abused will join them...

[decotoguy]

those americans soldiers knew very well what they were getting themselves into.I am a Vietnam vet,and when I relieved myself from the Military I had to renew myself, by understanding living words like,courage,hope,confidence,and endurance.
This Government and the people of America DO-NOT CARE about anybody.
So those former MERCENARIES should just suck it up,and get on with life.

[wyodutch]

Used to be... it was considered to be a privilige and an honor to serve in uniform. Ordinary Americans enlisted with guys like Ted Williams, Joe Dimaggio, Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese, Clark Gable and Jimmy Stewart.
.
Nowdays... we all want someone else to fight and die so we can sit on the sofa and watch millionaires play football and baseball on Sunday afternoon.
.
If we lack the guts to serve with our fellow Americans.. we ought at least to take care of them when they come home.

[stn_sage]

Absolutely! Which, is all the more reason, WHY...we should only be involved in RIGHTEOUS wars...NOT phony ones!

[decotoguy]

Those Americans knew very well what they were getting themselves into.
They are lucky to be alive.I came back from Vietnam with NOTHING,
I renewed"who" I was,by understanding living words like,courage,
hope,confidence,and endurance. This Government and the people of this country DO-NOT CARE for anybody.
So those vets should just suck it up and get down with some soul searching.

[freedom4ourposterity]

"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation."

- George Washington

[kansas1946]

About time.

[billpl-2009]

"estimated 56,000 veterans who leave prisons each year."

HUH?...these are guys fighting our wars?

that's messed up

[csuresh]

If there is going to be bill to pass in congress to help root out homelessnessn amongst the veterans, the GOPers will oppose it and will not let it pass. Only reason for that is that it is a bill from Democrats. What we have become now is just a partisan congress in pockets of big business unable to help average american.

[CarlosdelGato]

And just how do they expect to kill off all of the homeless vets in 5 years? Oh yeah - keep cutting back their medical benefits.

[mike18881]

As a vietnaum vet I believe your right, we don't count, we have nothing, our lifes are nothing. Fight die see you later.

[flyboy459]

As a former combat pilot, and never more than 2 pay checks from the street, I thank you.

[dblbar1]

no Sir.....I thank you.

[dblbar1]

"Even in tough economic times this is still the wealthiest, most powerful nation in the world and no veteran should be living on the streets without care and without hope."

and no soldier should ever come home to an ungrateful country.....sad, but it happened. Our veterans deserve more than they can ever be paid or thanked for.....