Many veterans have lost civilian jobs due to extended tours
in Afghanistan and Iraq, and upon returning home find it very
difficult to support themselves and their families. Many who are not
currently homeless are in danger of becoming so because of ongoing
economic hard times. At least a half million veterans pay over 50%
of their income for rent or a mortgage.
Estimates
of the total number of homeless U.S. citizens range from highly
questionable official government statistics of under 1 million to far
more likely accurate numbers of 3-5 million, over a million being
children. At least 1 in 4 homeless citizens is a veteran or the spouse or child of a veteran.
According
to the Los Angeles Times, the homeless population grew in all 25
cities included in a 2013 survey. There were officially 22,000
homeless children and 52,000 total homeless in New York City shelters--figures that left uncounted the many additional homeless not in shelters. The
official number of homeless for L.A. County--which left out the many more in neighboring counties--was 58,000. Nationally, there were officially
68,000 homeless college students. All of these official counts are
considered to be on the extreme low side of the actual numbers.
Various
social service providers report that, while lack of income, disabilities,
sickness, mental health issues and substance abuse all contribute to
homelessness, the primary reason Americans are homeless is the lack of
affordable housing. And, according to
mayors and other city leaders nationwide, that problem is growing worse.
Regardless of religious, political
or other persuasion, there is no excuse for citizens of the United
States to allow even one veteran to be homeless. Nor is there any
excuse to allow one senior, one child or anyone else to remain
homeless. Politicians failing to make helping the homeless a top
priority should never be elected and be permanently removed from
office.
Americans who sit idly by and make
no attempt to address and alleviate problems of poverty in our
nation openly display their lack of patriotism. They also reveal an absence of historical and
moral understanding, and of personal maturity, self-respect
and dignity.
Do Americans who ignore the plight of homeless veterans really support the troops? Can we march in parades, waving flags and pretending to be patriotic, while we continue to ignore our growing homeless population--even when we know that the causes of homelessness can strike almost anyone at any time, no matter their strength of character?
What kind of nation is it that can claim to be the greatest nation on earth and a beacon for freedom and democracy, while millions of her own citizens live in open squalor? Why are there homeless veterans in America? Why are there homeless seniors and children in America? Why is anyone homeless in America? You decide.
