The VA recently awarded over $300 million in grants that seek to help over 120,000 homeless and at-risk veterans, along with their families. The grants were given to over 300 community agencies across the nation. In recent years the VA has taken steps towards building strong relationships with consumer cooperatives and non-profit organizations that support homeless veterans and their families. These non-profits are educated about the VA services that many of these homeless or at-risk veterans are not taking advantage of.
In 2009, President Obama along with VA secretary Shinseki announced the federal government's goal to end veterans' homelessness by 2015. According to one report, the number of homeless veterans has declined 17.2% since 2009. Yet much work still needs to be done. According to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, while only 7% of the population can claim veterans status, about 13% of homeless adults are veterans. Many of these vets suffer from mental illnesses such as PTSD. Considering the recent rise in other than honorable discharges and lackluster services for vets dealing with PTSD, we should be concerned about a potential rise in these figures. Hopefully these new funds can help offer much-needed services for veterans and their families. For more on the VA announcement, follow the link below.
If you are a homeless or at-risk vet who has been denied VA benefits, contact us. You served, you deserve your veterans benefits.