Introduction
Homelessness has been one the major problems facing veterans for the past couple of decades. It poses major risks to the health of the veterans since they are exposed to unfavorable conditions (Gibson, 2018). The government has managed to pinpoint the exact number of homeless veterans due the relative invisibility of most of these citizens. Most of them prefer to remain hidden due to the fear of victimization and possible arrest. Kentucky is one of the most affected areas in the country hence the need for immediate intervention and identification of possible solutions (Frassica, 2013). Homeless veterans are entitled to all legal rights that other veterans have access to including employment assistance, health services and preferences in federal hiring practices.
Background
Hundreds of veterans can be spotted living on the street on any given night around Kentucky. Most of these individuals suffer from drug addiction, disability, mental illnesses, chronic and acute health problems that place them at risk. Based on a study by the Kentucky Department of Veteran affairs, 11% of holes people in Kentucky have served in one of the military branches with 70% suffering from substance abuse (Rust, 2019). Certain interventions have been launched to help in reducing the rate of homelessness facing veterans; however, the issue seems to be on the rise in recent years. The Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) was established in 2014 to help in offering better lifestyles for homeless citizens. Since its formation, the organization has provided assistance to 191 people with 100% of respondents indicating that they were satisfied with the services that they acquired (Town, 2019).
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Purpose
The purpose of this report is to determine whether it is feasible for the state government of Kentucky to provide housing for homeless and disabled veterans. Various states including the state of Kentucky are striving to meet the federal benchmarks and criteria set in place to help in eradicating homelessness among veterans. The Kentucky Department of Veteran Affairs established a Homeless Veterans Trust Fund (Rust, 2019). It helps veterans by providing small cash grants which can be used for utilities, rent and security deposits.
Research
Homelessness in general is in the rise in Louisville. Based on an annual census report provided by the Coalition for the Homeless, there has been a four-percent rise in the homeless population from 2017. There were about 6986 homeless people in 2019 (Rust, 2019). Even so, the coalition noted that homeless youths had reduced from 230 to 76 hence indicating that the large number of homeless individuals comprised mostly of adults (Rust, 2019). Federal founding towards affordable housing has been highlighted as the best way to combat the rising cases of homelessness in veterans.
Louisville is plague with vagrants in high tourist areas. Tourist sites such as Smarter Travel flag various areas of the city of Louisville as potentially dangerous due to the number of homeless vagrants that can be spotted roaming around (Virtual Tourist Editors, 2018). Some of these homeless individuals just want some food but others might go as far as scamming individuals. The West End of Louisville is one of the most insecure parts of the city with many reports of beatings and muggings reported recently (Virtual Tourist Editors, 2018). Issues on insecurity cause fear in tourists leading to lower tourism rates thus loss of revenue. This indicates that it is feasible for the government to direct more funds towards affordable public housing to reduce the rate of homelessness.
Veterans face many health issues after leaving the military. Post-traumatic stress disorder is one of the biggest contributing factors towards homelessness. PTSD affects anyone who has gone through a traumatic experience which can be in war zones (Gibson, 2018). Most veterans don’t receive adequate treatment for the condition preventing them from maintaining jobs leading to homelessness (Gibson, 2018). Providing homeless veterans with safe communities and facilities where they can relate with individuals who have gone through the same issues can help them in feeling more appreciated, safe and comfortable. Community-based organizations working in collaboration with governmental agencies help veterans with recovery services and treatment for substance abuse (Town, 2019).
Conclusion
Most people find it difficult to believe that a person who served in the military could find themselves homeless and sleeping in the streets. Homelessness among veterans has been an underlying issue which hasn’t received adequate attention. A large number of veterans lost some of their limbs in service of the country leaving the disabled for the rest of their lives. Working becomes difficult when one finds themselves in such situations hence the state government of Kentucky should intervene and provide housing for homeless and disabled veterans.
References
Frassica, M. (2013). VA program helps homeless veterans find housing. The Courier-Journal.
Gibson, H. (2018). Helping Kentucky's Homeless Veterans . Retrieved from The Healing Place: https://www.thehealingplace.org/helping-kentuckys-homeless-veterans/
Rust, K. (2019). Louisville’s homeless population has increased, but less are sleeping on the streets. Wave 3 News.
Town, E. (2019). The Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) - Kentucky . Retrieved from Volunteers of America Mid-States: https://www.voamid.org/hvrpky
Virtual Tourist Editors. (2018). Tips on Louisville Warnings or Dangers. Smarter Travel.
