Of the 16.5 million veterans in the United States in 2022, there was an estimated 34,000 veterans experiencing homelessness with another 15,000 living completely unsheltered. According to the Bureau of Prisons for the same year 181,000 veterans were incarcerated in jails, and state and federal prisons. While homelessness rates have DECREASED since 2020, incarceration rates have INCREASED. While overall veteran suicide rates have remained stable at 6,000+, suicides among 18–34 year-olds has dramatically INCREASED.
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Guest Contributor Cherie M. Smith
According to Reports, Veterans in NYC are Disappearing from Veterans Affairs Transitional Program.
In January 2024, the NYC Department of Investigation (DOI) revealed troubling issues in the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) and its management of the shelter system
The Mission of The Forgotten Veteran
To 'Bridge the Gap' between the incarcerated and homeless veteran and resources while providing information and solutions for the prevention of veteran homelessness and suicide. Most of the links for services and resources will connect to a The Forgotten Veteran.org page.
The Veterans Affairs Grant & Per Diem Program is VA’s largest transitional housing program for Veterans experiencing homelessness and is permanently authorized under Public Law 109-461.
Since 1994, the GPD Program has awarded grants to community-based organizations to provide transitional housing with wraparound supportive services to assist vulnerable Veterans obtain sustainable housing, financial wellness, and wellness.
HUD/VASH or Section 8 for veterans, also known as the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, works as a rental subsidy that allows families to pay a reasonable amount of their income toward their rent. In addition to HUD/VASH, several additional programs are available depending on location and access to Veterans Affairs resources.
As a formerly homeless veteran and struggling with service-connected PTSD, Tim has real-time experience with the challenges that come with obtaining sustainable housing. He spent 5 months in a drug-infested, violent NYC shelter while enrolled in the VA GPD transitional program.
The Council on Criminal Justice (CCJ) reports that 1/3 of veterans report having been arrested and booked into jail at least once, compared to fewer than 1/5 of civilians. There are more than 181,500 veterans in U.S. prisons and jails.
About half of these veterans were experiencing homelessness just prior to, or at the time of, arrest. About half of veterans in prison have a diagnosable mental health condition as a result of military service. Thousands were sexually assaulted.
"I assure you that, when the numbers do finally drop, it will merely be because those who were pushed the farthest are all already dead" Daniel Somers Suicide Letter
June 10, 2013
Veteran Suicide
While there are numerous reasons for a veteran to resort to suicide, a combination of mental illness including PTSD and TBI, drugs and/or alcohol, and stigma, a veteran can easily take the path of least resistance.
Knowing the warning signs about thoughts and planning around veteran suicide can help identify behaviors when a veteran may be heading down the 'rabbit hole' of suicide.