Tom Harkin: Rising Number Of Homeless Veterans A Disgrace To Our Nation

Pushes measure to ensure federal housing programs are reaching veteran population

November 8, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today expressed alarm and dismay with the findings of a new report showing one out of four homeless people in the United States is a military veteran.

A new report by the National Alliance to End Homelessness and the Homelessness Research Institute found that veterans make up roughly 26 percent of the homeless population, but only 11 percent of the general population. Data also showed that Iraq war veterans are becoming homeless at a much faster pace than Vietnam veterans.

“It’s not right for our returning heroes to be left out in the cold by their government,” said Harkin. “It is imperative that we in Congress and the Bush Administration take immediate action to reverse this awful trend. Our government cannot make the same mistakes with the veterans of this generation that they did with the veterans of my generation.”

A chief reason for the increase in the number of homeless veterans is the high rate of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) amongst Iraq war veterans. Record numbers are suffering from these conditions that, without proper treatment, can cause formidable challenges to transitioning back to civilian life.

To address the issue, Harkin co-sponsored the Homes for Heroes Act, a bill which would ensure the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is targeting veterans with their homeless assistance programs. The bill would also expand housing options for families of low-income veterans.

Harkin has also co-sponsored the Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury and Health Programs Improvement Act, which would help the VA provide better care for veterans with TBI and assist homeless veterans. He was also instrumental in passing a measure that would improve military medical facilities, specifically treatments for TBI and PTSD – the Dignified Treatment for Warriors Act. Provisions of the bill were included in the National Defense Authorization Act, the final version of which is currently being worked on in a House-Senate Conference Committee.

Source: Senator Tom Harkin