Homeless Veterans: Perspectives on Social Services Use
By Applewhite, Steven Lozano
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Article excerpt
Homelessness in America has been well documented since the mid-1980s. Studies
have focused primarily on the definition of homelessness, its underlying causes,
and the health and mental health characteristics of homeless people (Johnson &
Cnaan, 1995). Although statistics vary considerably, the official national estimate
is between 567,000 and 600,000 homeless individuals (Burt & Cohen, 1988; Leda,
Rosenheck, Medak, & Olson, 1989), and this number continues to grow in urban
and rural communities nationwide (First, Rife, & Toomey, 1994; U.S. General
Accounting Office [GAO], 1985; Wright, 1989). Furthermore, it is estimated that
on any given day, there are approximately 200,000 veterans experiencing
homelessness, with twice that amount homeless during the course of a year
(Rosenheck & Koegel, 1993). Despite such statistics, there is limited research on
the plight of homeless veterans and the specific social problems, needs, and
obstacles they face. Because data regarding the size of the homeless population and
their diverse needs are inconsistent, rational approaches to understanding and
planning for this heterogeneous population are severely hampered.
This article describes the findings of an exploratory qualitative study using focus
group interviews to explore the perceptions of homeless veterans about the nature
and scope of homelessness, as well as the obstacles encountered in obtaining
services. Within these areas the following questions were explored: What social
problems do homeless veterans experience on a daily basis? What obstacles do
veterans encounter in obtaining health and human services?
Causes and Problems of Homelessness
There are contrasting views on the causes of homelessness and the diverse needs of
subpopulations of homeless people. However, most researchers agree that despite
the heterogeneity within this population, extreme poverty is the underlying cause
of most homelessness (Johnson & Cnaan, 1995; Rossi, 1989). Other reasons
commonly cited in the literature include shortages of low-income housing,
extended periods of unemployment, deinstitutionalization, and a decline in local
and state income assistance programs (Leda et al., 1989; GAO, 1985, 1988;
Wright, 1989). Homelessness may also reflect an increase in the number of people
living in extreme poverty during the past decade, compounded by the problem of
below-average incomes that prevent individuals and families from securing even
the lowest cost, minimal housing units such as single-room-occupancy hotel rooms
(Lindblom, 1992). Thus, the combined effects of poverty, housing shortages, low
incomes, and a growing population of homeless veterans have resulted in a
national problem that threatens to escalate in the future.
Similarly, the problems experienced by homeless individuals are as varied as the
causes of homelessness. Among the major problems experienced by homeless
individuals are severe mental and physical illness, alcohol and other substance
abuse, chronic unemployment, and menial jobs and wages (Robertson, 1987;
Rosenheck & Koegel, 1993). Negative public attitudes and reactions to
homelessness such as laws aimed at curbing panhandling, public nuisance,
loitering, and sleeping in public places have also been cited as problems (National
Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, 1993). Other problems affecting
homeless veterans include physical, addictive, and postmilitary psychiatric
disorders; social isolation; social and vocational dysfunction; mental health and
community adjustment problems; war and non-war-related traumatic experiences;
and low self-esteem (Rosenheck, Gallup, & Leda, 1991; Surber, Dwyer, Ryan,
Goldfinger, & Kelly, 1988; Winkleby & Fleshin, 1993). The diverse problems
facing the homeless veteran population represent a growing concern to health and
human services practitioners faced with the difficult task of delivering services to
this highly vulnerable group.
