April 19, 2023
America Home to 33,000 Homeless Former Service Members
Photo by Zac Durant under Unsplash License
Homelessness in America isn’t a new issue, one that hasn’t received much attention. The recent pandemic made matters worse, with more than half a million people listed as homeless. Shelters for them across the country are filled to the brim, and the wait lists have doubled or tripled in recent months.
What Causes Homelessness Among Veterans?
Former service members are especially vulnerable to homelessness. The latest survey shows that about 33,000 veterans are homeless, according to the Military Times.
In a report, the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans cited the primary reasons why many veterans become homeless. They include the following:
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
The mental state of veterans can be one of the biggest factors contributing to their homelessness. Since all wars are fundamentally cruel and pitiless, many former service members return home with invisible scars, such as combat-related PTSD.
Unless they seek professional help, they won’t be able to cope with their traumatic experiences in the field. These individuals often can’t find or keep a job because they tend to isolate themselves from society.
- Substance abuse
Unresolved PTSD usually leads to alcohol and substance abuse. Many veterans turn to these addictive substances to alleviate the symptoms of any behavioral disorders they developed during their deployment.
Since substance abuse reduces their productivity, they often find it difficult to get a job to support themselves and their families. Chronic unemployment increases their risk of homelessness.
- Lack of support
Veterans need social connections and familial support as they transition to civilian life. Those who don’t receive the same level of support outside the military are likely to feel isolated and socially inept.
- Expensive housing
The lack of affordable housing options in many states is another reason why many veterans struggle with homelessness. For instance, Colorado is among the states with the least affordable housing. Low-income renters, including veterans, may have difficulty finding affordable homes that suit their needs.
Here’s How You Can Help Our Homeless Heroes
If you’re looking for an easy and effective way to extend a helping hand to the homeless veterans in your area, consider donating an unwanted vehicle to us at Veteran Car Donations. We’ll give your old car a new and worthy purpose by converting it into a tool for uplifting the lives of our hurting heroes.
Our team will put your vehicle up for auction, with the proceeds going to our veteran and military nonprofit partners. These IRS-certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations are dedicated to improving the lives of former U.S. service members who are homeless and impoverished, unable to find jobs, and suffering from disabilities as well as illnesses, including mental health disorders.
Our charity partners use the funding we give them to provide their beneficiaries with housing and financial assistance, employment and livelihood opportunities, family support, free quality health care and medical treatment, psychotherapy services, scholarships, and many other benefits.
You’ll receive outstanding rewards for your donation, including getting entitled to claim the maximum tax deduction in the next tax season and getting a professional pickup and towing service from us anywhere in the country at no cost to you.
More valuable than these material rewards, you’ll get to experience the priceless joy and satisfaction of doing something that will help uplift the lives of our nation’s heroes — those men and women who fought and risked their lives for us so we can live in freedom and peace.
We’re not choosy on the type and condition of the vehicle you intend to donate. We accept nearly all vehicle types, including those that are no longer in good condition and won’t even start anymore.
It’s so easy to donate to us. We’ll take care of most of the work for you. Simply give us a call through our 24/7 toll-free hotline at 877-594-5822 and one of our donation specialists will walk you through our quick and simple donation process. You can also contact us here.
Head over to our FAQs page to find more information about Veteran Car Donations.
Experience the Joy of Giving Today!
Photo by Chris Kursikowski under Unsplash License
You can help make a difference in the lives of our nation’s heroes with your car donation. Call Veteran Car Donations at 877-594-5822 or fill out our secure online donation form now to experience the joy of giving!
Last Updated: October 30th, 2023