Natl Alliance claims >25% of USA Homeless are Military VETs!

The Homelessness Research Institute ^ | 31 Oct 2007 | National Alliance to End Homelessness

[Broker]

HUD-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program Description (PDF | 52 KB | 1 page) Preventing and Ending Homelessness for America's Veterans (PDF | 53 KB | 1 page) Sample Local Press Release (DOC | 32 KB | 2 pages) Sample Op-ed (DOC | 30 KB | 1 page) Vital Mission: Ending Homelessness Among Veterans (PDF | 23 KB | 1 page) The Homelessness Research Institute, the research and education arm of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, will release Vital Mission: Ending Homelessness Among Veterans. This report details the number of homeless veterans by state, how housing and lack of housing contributes to the problem, and strategies to prevent and end homelessness for veterans. To ensure maximum media coverage, the Alliance would like to coordinate media efforts with our local and state partners. The following materials have been developed to assist in media outreach efforts.

[Broker]

Now this is a serious subject. Homeless VETs. Yet, think before you believe that 25% or more of the homeless in USA are VETERANs. This is a HUGE PR effort to draw sympathy. Street people make excellent PHONEY VETs. Look at this site and study the campaign to promulgate this cause... It stinks of POLITICs and as always, follow the money. Here is how the Institute's campaign is made into propaganda:

ATT NEWs http://www.att.net/s/editorial.dll?pnum=1&bfromind=7401&eeid=5513305&_sitecat=1522&dcatid=0&eetype=article&render=y&ac=-2&ck=&ch=ne&rg=blsadstrgt

Veterans Make Up 1 in 4 Homeless in US Published: 11/7/07, 7:25 PM EDT By KIMBERLY HEFLING WASHINGTON (AP) - Veterans make up one in four homeless people in the United States, though they are only 11 percent of the general adult population, according to a report to be released Thursday.

And homelessness is not just a problem among middle-age and elderly veterans. Younger veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan are trickling into shelters and soup kitchens seeking services, treatment or help with finding a job.

The Veterans Affairs Department has identified 1,500 homeless veterans from the current wars and says 400 of them have participated in its programs specifically targeting homelessness.

The Alliance to End Homelessness, a public education nonprofit, based the findings of its report on numbers from Veterans Affairs and the Census Bureau. 2005 data estimated that 194,254 homeless people out of 744,313 on any given night were veterans.

In comparison, the VA says that 20 years ago, the estimated number of veterans who were homeless on any given night was 250,000.

Some advocates say such an early presence of veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan at shelters does not bode well for the future. It took roughly a decade for the lives of Vietnam veterans to unravel to the point that they started showing up among the homeless. Advocates worry that intense and repeated deployments leave newer veterans particularly vulnerable.

"We're going to be having a tsunami of them eventually because the mental health toll from this war is enormous," said Daniel Tooth, director of veterans affairs for Lancaster County, Pa.

[HD1200]

Every election year we hear all the homeless are veterans. It brings tears to liberals eyes but time and again has been proven incorrect.

[neodad]

Phony soldiers.

[darkwing104]

I have to start looking harder...I haven't seen any. At 25% I should be tripping over them.

[Broker]

Brace yourself as they are loading all media barrels for a blitz of phoney guys in camos with emaciated kids with their sad and battered mamas.

[NavVet]

I seriously doubt these numbers are anywhere close to reality. Also, I would like to know how many who claim to be homeless vets could show proof of an Honorable Discharge.

[Bringbackthedraft]

I have to start looking harder...I haven’t seen any. At 25% I should be tripping over them. ............ Go to San Francisco there seem to be a few there with their card board signs and Vet Hats. They claim they are vets.

[muawiyah]

It's not how they count Vets or how they count the homeless ~ look at their board of directors ~ it's got Harry Cisneros on there, but he's only first among the many burned out, washed up, disgraced Clintonista Democrats.

The facts are there are probably some homelsss Vets but the Democrats aren't going to do a damned thing about them. Dems are full of wonderous words of promise, but slow on action. Only way a homeless Vet could get anything out of these pukes is if he knocked one of 'em over the head and cleaned his wallet out.

Besides, this is an AP article written by one of their smarmier reporters who specializes in Bush bashing.

[usmcobra]

According to the last census there are more Viet Nam veterans then ever served in the armed forces during the Viet Nam war

Interesting Census Stats and "Been There" Wanabees:

1,713,823 of those who served in Vietnam were still alive as of August, 1995 (census figures).

~ During that same Census count, the number of Americans falsely claiming to have served in-country was: 9,492,958.

~ As of the current Census taken during August, 2000, the surviving U.S. Vietnam Veteran population estimate is: 1,002,511. This is hard to believe, losing nearly 711,000 between '95 and '00. That's 390 per day.

During this Census count, the number of Americans falsely claiming to have served in-country is: 13,853,027. By this census, FOUR OUT OF FIVE WHO CLAIM TO BE Vietnam vets are not.

The Department of Defense Vietnam War Service Index officially provided by The War Library originally reported with errors that 2,709,918 U.S. military personnel as having served in-country. Corrections and confirmations to this errored index resulted in the addition of 358 U.S. military personnel confirmed to have served in Vietnam but not originally listed by the Department of Defense. (All names are currently on file and accessible 24/7/365).

Source

and the numbers keep growing....

[Broker]

This Media Blitz will commence 8NOV07. www.endhomelessness.org Press Releases look like this:

— NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION UNTIL NOVEMBER 8 2007 —
YOUR ORGANIZATION’S HEADER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Your Name; November 08, 2007 Phone Number; Email Address

Homelessness Research Institute Releases New Report on Homeless Veterans in Your State

# veterans were homeless in Your State on any given night in 2006.

Your City, Your State – The Homelessness Research Institute of the National Alliance to End Homelessness has released new research on the number of homeless veterans along with the causes of veteran homelessness. The report, Vital Mission: Ending Homelessness Among Veterans, also examines the impact of high housing costs among veteran renters and makes recommendations on how to prevent and end veteran homelessness.

[Broker]

Here is Tomorrows OP Ed Guidance http://www.naeh.org/content/article/detail/1819

SAMPLE OP-ED – NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION UNTIL NOVEMBER 8, 2007
Please feel free to use these exact words or edit as you see fit.

In [your city] today, [insert one paragraph personal story that illustrates a veteran’s day to day struggle with homelessness and getting off of the streets and into permanent housing.]

[Mr./Mrs.] [name] situation is not an isolated story. The National Alliance to End Homelessness has just released a report entitled Vital Mission: Ending Homelessness Among Veterans. The report shows that in [your state] alone, there are currently [number] veterans experiencing homelessness.

And the problem is widespread. Nationwide, a shocking 195,827 veterans slept on the street, in shelter, or in transitional housing on any given night in 2006 and 495,400 were homeless over the course of the year, a number which represents a disproportionately large representation of veterans (approximately one-fourth) who contribute to the total homeless population in general.

The solution to ending homelessness among veterans is not a social enigma. Homeless veterans need the same things as all homeless people - access to affordable housing and, for those who are suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression – social supports. As a nation, we certainly do not lack the knowledge to end homelessness among veterans. The answers are mapped out in both research and common sense.

[SandRat]

I suspect the number is bogus.

The answer is quite simple though. Take each one of the Vet Status claimant’s finger-prints (all service members are finger printed) and run them trough DoD. If they are Vets by then God we should help and if they aren’t well, then.... other more “Legal” arrangements can be made.

[usmcobra]

I know a true Homeless Viet Nam veteran,

he works with me,

he owns a 1965 Ford Mustang that he sleeps in every night,

he doesn’t beg, borrow, or steal.

Or want the help of any National Alliance to End Homelessness.

He is a free man and happy with his life.

[Broker]

National Alliance to End Homelessness-Board of Directors:
Co-Chairman Board Members Past Chairmen
Susan Baker Henry Cisneros Rabbi Martin Siegel
Co-Founder City View
John W. Macy, Jr.
Barbara J Easterling Stephen Coyle
Communications Workers AFL-CIO Housing Investment Clifford L. Alexander, Jr.
of America Trust
Anthony S. Harrington
Vice Chairman Kenneth M. Duberstein
Gary M. Parsons The Duberstein Group Eli J. Segal
XM Satellite Radio
G. Allan Kingston
Secretary Century Housing
Elizabeth Boyle, M.S.W.
Co-Founder The Honorable John J. LaFalce
Harris Beach, LLP
Treasurer
David Warnock The Honorable Mike Lowry
Camden Partners, Inc Former Governor,
Washington State
President
Nan P. Roman Robert Levin
Fannie Mae

Executive Director Barbara Poppe
Churchill J. Gibson IV Community Shelter Board

Robert D. Stillman
Milbridge Capital Management, LLC

Robert D. Villency
Maurice Villency, Inc

[farlander]

Most homeless people have either a psychological problem, or their homelessness is sel-imposed as they refuse to deal with the reality (I guess you could call that a psychological problem, but not as serious). Somehow, I don’t believe whomever has the ability to serve in the military is likely to fit that description, and, let’s just say, I would be incredulous if 25% of all homeless people are actually veterans.

[darkwing104]

In my College writing class this is "appeal to emotion", a democrat's favorite tool. In a time a war a homeless vet is the ultimate victim, who's going to doubt their credibility? People like me.

The reason why I don't see to many "Homeless Vet" where I live is due to the high number of Active Duty, Former, and Retired Military residing here. We can spot them in a New York minute.

[Chode]

i do NOT believe it is out of statistical proportion to the country at large...

[Broker]

We all want the best for our fellow citizens. Nobody here is celebrating the despirate circumstances of others. There are innumerable causes for homelessness. Things we can or can’t control.

Yet homelessness brings crime. You can bet your bottom dollar that if you live in a city like mine (Atlanta)there are homeless people living under the local creek/river/interstate/railroad bridge. You can also bet your next dollar there is meth, dope, alcohol and some illicit soliciations available. It is certain if you wander there with good intentions alone, you might end up down the creek into oblivion.

How can we teach these people to Fish??

[Broker]

What percentage of American adults have served in the military? How many adults do you personally know who have served in the military? It used to be 50% after WW2.

I am guessing that less that 5% of today’s adults have served. If you know anything about the military, they thoroughly train you to survive, thrive and function. Then too, some get the tar knocked out of them.

Yet, it is most improbable that more than 25% of all homeless are VETs.

What are the requirements to be a VET?

[muawiyah]

Believe what you want about the statistics, fact is the number of veterans these pukes are saying are homeless exceeds the number of homeless the Census was able to identify under a very liberal definition.

It's still Democrat propaganda.

[muawiyah]

Wasn’t 50% after WWII. There were over 100 million people. About 15 million served, one way or the other.

[Broker]

November 11th is Veterans Day.. Now let me define a Vet. A former serviceman or servicewoman who wore the uniform and was honorable discharged.

The VA has a Booklet here to teach your children about Veterans Day. http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/docs/schoolkit.pdf

There is a lot of GOOD information on Veterans Day at the VA Web Site: http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/

If you see a VET on the street, thank him, smile to her salute them as best you can. If you see a service member in uniform at a restaurant, buy their lunch, all of them. If a uniformed service member is in a line with you, give way let them up front. HIRE & PROMOTE VETs. Set these examples for your friends and families.

[cajungirl]

lies in this article, all lies.

[Broker]

After WW2 we can count VETs alive from about 1890 to 1950. In the 4 years of WW2, apx. 15,000,000 add that to this 56 year range. The number is big. Was in my family and yours too, unless you had some genetic problem or your family lived in Ireland.

[Chode]

first,i don't believe the numbers.

but i'd guess 25% might be possible(maybe a little high depending on what part of the country is looked at) for the number who served, and my point being if 25% served, it's statistically possible 25% Might be homeless.

like you said, survival is ingrained so i don't believe their numbers

[truth_seeker]

I have read that 67% of the homeless are alcoholic/addicts and/or mentally ill.

Many therefore by choice. Get a check for basics from some agency, spend it on booze/drugs and come up short for rent. Simple solution—go homeless—no rent to come up short for.

I am a vet, and quite resent the notion that vets from my era are bound to be alcoholic homeless losers.

[muawiyah]

It wasn't 50%. What you've probably got in mine is the percentage of the population that had an immediate relative (father, brother, son, uncle, cousin) who was a veteran ~ and that was probably near 50%.

Remember, somebody had to stay home and do all the work.

[rlmorel]

Good God. How frickking sad is that. Pathetic POS people who feel the need to have to impersonate a vet.

[Chode]

see #19...

[Broker]

Phoney VETs & Street VETs do it for several reasons:
1. It is the only way they can get attention; to be recognized and even listened to.
2. There is an abundance of military surplus clothing available. It is cheap or given away. Camo gear and jackets are very suitable for street survival. All they do is assume the name on the uniform.
3. They can be cast and formed into a cause celeb. A class of victims ready made for sympathy plays.

[Quackattack]

Interesting info from the Hoover Institution: http://www.hoover.org/research/factsonpolicy/facts/10802846.html

Q: In 2006, how did the poverty rate of veterans compare with that of the general population?

A: It was about half the rate of the general population.

[YHAOS]

And we are supposed to belive the Homelessness Research Institute because . . . ?

[Broker]

This posting is an ALERT to PROPAGANDA. A concentrated effort to smear and exploit VETS (near 11/11 11AM=Veterans Day). This will become a devisive political talking point and source of finance for the sponsor.

[aft_lizard]

I don’t know the actual percentages but it was quite high after WW2. You have to remember WW1,the Phillipines and the Spanish American war would all have still had veterans alive even after WW2.

[muawiyah]

WWII had the greatest number of vets. WWI had far fewer. The Spanish American War even fewer. At no time did they add up to 50% of the total population.

[aft_lizard]

A veteran isnt just a person who served during war either.

Never said its 50% BTW but the numbers were quite high during that period.

[YHAOS]

"This posting is an ALERT to PROPAGANDA. A concentrated effort to smear and exploit VETS (near 11/11 11AM=Veterans Day). This will become a devisive political talking point and source of finance for the sponsor."

That was my impression. I'm simply expressing my own skepticism in support of the PROPAGANDA ALERT.

[NavVet]

If I had a 65 Stang I would probably sleep in it too.

[Broker]

Best Book on Phoney Soldiers: “Stolen Valor” How the Vietnam generation was robbed of its HEROs and its history. Written by B G Burkett & Glenna Whitley, 1998 by Verity Press. Excellent documented expose on this wide spread problem.

[NavVet]

I just saw a clip on CNN interviewing two “homeless Vets” I have it on good authority that they probably didn’t ask either “vet” about the type of discharge he received for a good reason.

[Broker]

Give CNN some feed back and request they verify VET status of the victems they interviewed.