We have fought the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan “off the books,” but it’s high time we accept the responsibility and costs of caring for our veterans. Veterans returning from Iraq in particular are seeking mental health services than veterans of other wars and conflicts. Studies have consistently found that a high percentage of these veterans screen positive for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Our veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan face clear risks that could lead to homelessness. And our homeless veterans are more likely to develop life-threatening diseases than other homeless persons. Our military veterans are much more likely to be homeless than other Americans – in 2010, veterans represented only 9.5 percent of the adult population, but as much as 16% of the adult homeless population. These figures are tragic, but tell only part of the story of just how deeply we have failed our veterans. Plainly, many who have fought for this country find themselves fighting to survive when they come home. On a given night in 2010, more than 75,000 veterans were homeless in the United States, and between October 2009 and September 2010, nearly 150,000 were homeless for at least one night. He said: “When you take off the uniform, we will serve you as well as you've served us, because no one who fights for this country should have to fight for a job or a roof over their head or the care that they need when they come home.” Lofty language, to be sure, but it simply highlights the gap between rhetoric and reality.Īs Americans, we proudly proclaim ourselves the home of the brave, but far too many of our brave are homeless. In his convention speech last week, President Obama included few rhetorical flourishes, but one stood out.
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