Veteran Statistics | Homeless Veterans

Statistics

Following are statistics and key facts related to Veterans Inc., our programs, and homelessness among veterans.

Veterans Inc.
Veterans & Homelessness
Employment & Training Program
Health & Wellness Program
Food & Clothing
Other Services
Women

A wealth of information and statistics are also available at these websites:

Department of Veterans Affairs – www.va.gov
National Coalition for Homeless Veterans – www.nchv.org
National Alliance to End Homelessness – www.naeh.org.

Veterans Inc.

Largest provider of services to veterans and their families in New England
Largest provider of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs housing for veterans in New England, with more than 250 beds
The only emergency shelter for veterans in Central Massachusetts
Largest drug- and alcohol-free shelter in Central Massachusetts
Veterans and families helped: more than 60,000 since 1990. This includes residents in the Housing Program, veterans reached through the Outreach Program, and veterans and families serviced by the Food Pantry.
Veterans Inc. has one of the highest rates in the nation for transitioning veterans out of homelessness.
Year incorporated: 1990
Date doors opened: January of 1992, to nine homeless veterans
Service area: Headquartered in Worcester, MA, Veterans Inc. has offices and programs in all six New England states and provides referral services across America.

Veterans & Homelessness

Number of veterans in the U.S. as of 2014: approximately 22.5 million²
Increasing numbers of returning military personnel: according to the Mass. Dept. of Veterans’ Services, approximately 31,000 service members have returned to the Commonwealth since Sept. 11, 2001.
Between 529,000 and 840,000 veterans are homeless at some time during the year.²
On any given night, more than 300,000 veterans are living on the streets or in shelters in the U.S.
Approx. 33% of homeless males in the U.S. are veterans.²
Veterans are twice as likely as other Americans to become chronically homeless.²
Veterans represent 11% of the adult civilian population, but 26% of the homeless population, according to the Homeless Research Institute (2007).
Veterans are more at risk of becoming homeless than non-veterans
The number of homeless Vietnam-era veterans, male and female, is greater than the number of soldiers who died during the war.¹
Primary causes of homelessness among veterans are:

Lack of income due to limited education and lack of transferable skills from military to civilian life (especially true of younger veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan)

Combat-related physical health issues and disabilities

Combat-related mental health issues and disabilities

Substance abuse problems that interfere with job retention

Weak social networks due to problems adjusting to civilian life

Lack of services

Employment & Training Program

Veterans retrained by Veterans Inc.: more than 1,000
80% of clients successfully complete a training program or workshop.
70% of clients increase their income while in the program.
More than 65% of veterans served, who are able to work, secure full- or part-time employment through Veterans Inc.’s job placement service.
Unemployment among male Iraq and Afghanistan veterans rose from 5% in March 2007 to 15% in March 2010, according to Labor Dept. statistics as reported in USA Today.

Health & Wellness Program

One in 10 veterans is disabled, oftentimes by injuries sustained in combat.
The number of disabled veterans is increasing; more than 20,000 veterans were wounded during service in Iraq and Afghanistan.
About 70% of homeless veterans suffer from substance abuse problems.¹
45% of homeless veterans suffer from mental illness including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).¹
19% of Iraq veterans report a mental health problem, and more than 11% of Afghanistan veterans.
The incidence of PTSD and suicide rates among veterans is climbing.
62% of homeless veterans in Worcester smoke or had smoked within the past year of a recent survey, compared with 21% of the general U.S. population.
65% of clients abstain from drug and alcohol use for at least six months while in the Housing Program.

Food & Clothing

Last year, Veterans Inc. distributed enough food through the Food Bank to prepare over 225,000 meals
Last year, Veterans Inc. prepared 100,000 hot meals for veterans during the year through our Food Services Program
Veterans Inc. provides $100,000 worth of clothing to veterans and their families each year.
In 1993, 85 families were registered in the Veterans Inc. Food Bank program. Today there are more than 800 families registered.

Other Services

100% of residents are provided with comprehensive counseling and assistance in applying for VA benefits, SSI/SSD disability benefits, short-term Massachusetts veterans’ benefits, and other benefits.
With Veterans Inc.’s legal support, 60% of clients with civil judgments, corrections histories, or criminal convictions that prevented them from obtaining employment, establishing a regular payment schedule for outstanding child support payments and/or outstanding taxes; or addressing outstanding warrants or legal judgments.

Women

In 1994, Veterans Inc. became the first private organization in the nation to provide housing for the growing population of female veterans.
The risk of women veterans becoming homeless is four times greater than for male veterans.
Percentage of all military personnel represented by women: approx. 20%
Number of women veterans as of Sept. 2009: approximately 1,824,000, which is 7.9% of all veterans¹
Increased female deployment: 41,000 in Gulf War; 182,000 in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom⁴
7% of the nation’s homeless veteran population is comprised of women.⁴
23-29% of female veterans seeking VA medical care reported experiences of sexual assault.⁴

Sources include:
¹U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
² National Coalition for Homeless Veterans
³ National Alliance to End Homelessness
⁴ The National Center on Family Homelessness
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