Homelessness explodes among recent war vets

[pinboy3niner]

Recent war vets face risk of homelessness

By Gregg Zoroya, USA TODAY
Updated 1h 16m ago


More than 10,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are homeless or in programs aimed at keeping them off the streets, a number that has doubled three times since 2006, according to figures released by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

...


"We're seeing more and more (Iraq and Afghanistan veterans)," says Richard Thomas, a Volunteers of America case manager at a shelter in Los Angeles. "It's just a bad time for them to return now and get out of the military."


The VA blames the rise on a poor economy and the nature of the current wars, where a limited number of troops serve multiple deployments.


The result is a group of homeless veterans where 70% have a history of combat exposure with its psychological effects, says Pete Dougherty, a senior policy adviser on homelessness at the VA.

...


http://www.usatoday.com/news/military/2011-07-25-homeless-veterans_n.htm

[Hangingon]

1. Reflects the high unemployment rate.

[LiberalEsto]

2. This is inexcusable

I am ashamed of this country.

[democrank]

3. Unforgivable

[unhappycamper]

4. 25% of the homeless are veterans.

25% of prison population are veterans.

Over 1,000 veterans and active duty service members off themselves each and every year.

Basically veterans are throw away people when you can no longer fight for empire.

[white cloud]

5. Time to

step and supprt the vets. Congress is not going to. Write you sinator and prezident Shame on the IMC


you will cry.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonus_Army


http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4494446