Veterans Administration: Public Policy - Essay Example

Veterans Administration – Public Policy Lecturer: Introduction California accommo s close to 2 million veterans and among them estimated 19000 are homeless (California Department of Veteran affairs, 2010). Homelessness in veterans even at times when the economy is robust and the rate of unemployment is at its lowest; moreover, unlike the circumstances that caused the Vietnam veterans to be homeless in 13 years, afghan and Iraqi veterans spiral toward homelessness within 3 years. A common homeless veteran who served in Vietnam is usually unemployed with an income that is less $125 in a week and lives outdoors or in a shelter and ails from medical and mental health disorders. The homeless veterans experience high rate of mental as well as physical problems that are increased by the living conditions. On a single night, half of the homeless veterans can be located in four states that include Florida, California, Texas and New York; however, among the states California is home to the highest percentage at 26%. However, the goal to end homelessness for veterans is a joint action that incorporates the state, federal as well as local leaders in conjunction with service providers, the private sector, advocates philanthropic and community organization leaders. The aim is to focus on strategies that prove successful in aiding homeless veteran gain inexpensive housing and health care. The public policy focuses on offering affordable housing, permanent supportive housing and increased sustainable and meaningful employment as well as decreasing financial vulnerability (Atkins, n.d). Federal government in California offer resources to homeless programs that help homeless Veterans access housing assistance. One of the well-known programs is the HUD-VASH that results from partnership between US Department of Housing and Urban development and VA Supportive Housing in providing permanent, supportive housing and health care services for the homeless veterans (US Department of veteran affairs, 2012). HUB allocates thousands vouchers of housing across the nation allowing veterans to live in market rate rental housing. The housing subsidy gets paid to the landlord directly through the local public housing authority for the sake of the veteran allowing the veteran to pay the difference between the rent charged by the landlord and the amount paid by the program. VA offer case management services that help achievement of the objectives of recovery for a veteran. The HUD-VASH program deals with most susceptible veterans by providing unique services to female veterans, disabled veterans and even veteran coming from combat. The community plays a role in eradicating homeless veterans in the streets by providing information regarding a veteran at a risk of being homeless. VA offers extensive assets and support that target veterans by collaborating with the community and susceptible veterans to homelessness. Another program is the GPD (Grant and Per Diem) program that avails funds for community-based agencies offering transitional housing for homeless veterans. In a year, the program receives offers and grants from VA that can fund up to 65% of construction projects, acquisition and even renovation of facilities that provide outreach and services to veterans who are homeless (US Department of veteran affairs, 2012). In 2013, California governor signed various bills that target helping veterans because the governor signed a legislation that can offer funds for expanding affordable housing in combating homelessness within veterans. Across the US, veteran homelessness is disturbingly high as new veterans re-join civilian life after their service in Iraq and Afghanistan. The legislation will require voters to approve the use of state $600 million of the housing bond funds aimed at the development of multifamily and transitional housing for veterans. In California 12 years ago, voters permitted $900 million bond issue for aiding veterans purchase farms and homes. However, with high numbers of returning veterans the interest to purchase homes that are backed by the state inexpensive mortgages is low. In 2013, lawmakers in the state passed a bill that would allow voters shift two-thirds of the bonds to construction of affordable apartments for veterans with main concern of the project being aligning the rental housing with services associated with the homeless. Supporters of the initiative argue would impose fresh costs to the state; however, the cost would be offset by the savings and revenue generated once homeless veterans resume their productive lives. Nevertheless, the current demand for reasonable housing for veterans particularly using the supportive housing for homeless veterans remains high. Estimates indicate that more than 32,000 veterans may be homeless in the next two and half years because the supply of affordable housing is low making it unable to meet the demand. Developers are adamant they cannot build affordable houses without the help of the government since cost of land, labour and materials remain high; moreover, only a small amount of such help is available none of which specifically target veterans. Different from bonds for home loans that are entirely repaid by the veterans who take mortgages, the ones for the apartments’ project would be paid for by the state at approximate cost of $25 million for a period of 30 years. By decreasing homeless veterans and exposing them to rehabilitation and mental health services necessary, the bond would be helpful to state in avoiding some of the prevailing costs of healthcare and social services. As well, the bonds could result in more homeless veterans rejoining the workforce since the proposition 12 years ago missed the mark with regard to the meeting the needs of the state’s returning veterans (LA Times Editorial board, 2013). According to Berk-Clark, (2013), veteran narratives offer a range of factors that influence the onset of homelessness among them being the substantial levels of psychiatric and social impairments across chronically and acute homeless veterans. Moreover, veterans highlight financial barrier as the main challenge to re-housing because listed housing, health as well as financial services require help to re-house in a county known for its costly housing (van den Berk-Clark, 2013). The loss of social support is another factor that precipitates homelessness in veterans; therefore, a wide range of assessing factors is essential in addressing the risk factors that result in homelessness. There is need to personalize intervention up on identifying the pertinent issues instead of having a one-size-fit all mind-set in handling veteran problems which is absurd. The integration of healthcare and support in helping homeless veterans is crucial since people end up in this situation for different reasons among them depression and lack of money to be able to have a decent life in the state (Berk-Clark, 2013). This resonates with housing issues raised by elderly veterans with health, benefit-related, mental health and legal issues and whose homelessness is linked to loss of social support. This therefore, demands supportive housing that promotes strong peer support networks within veterans because it plays a significant role in constructive feedback and offer instrumental assistance. Affordable housing programs for veterans like HUD make only 20% of affordable housing available for the elderly individuals and many of them may require long-term care. Nevertheless, because of the economic status of the elderly, cost containment for the state create long-term care waiting list as they are usually considered for housing first, which usually focus services on younger populations. Long-term housing options for veterans with sufficient income are available since their income can allow them to live in a board-and –care home; as well, disabled veterans with sufficient income can obtain required nursing together with other long-term care (Berk-Clark, 2013). The mission for veteran administration with regard to elimination of homeless veteran should be to offer the veterans in the state regardless of whether they are disabled with rehabilitative and medical care services within a home-like environment. This should recognize the huge sacrifice the state veterans make and recognize their dignified service for the country. In 1884, state of California established its first home targeting veterans and today CalVet homes offer prolonged care for resident veterans (California Department of Veteran affairs, 2010). The current established homes of CalVet act like a system of residential care facilities that offer comprehensive medical plan, pharmacy, rehabilitation services as well as social activities in a home-like and small society environment. This allows a wide range of actives for the veterans including social events, volunteer activities, shopping trips and other off-site activities that foster an atmosphere of dignity and respect suitable for a resident veteran (California Department of Veteran affairs, 2010). Other providers who offer veteran administration services and even waive age limit for disabled or even homeless veterans who desire long-term care should emulate this. Owing to the dire need, it would be better for the department of veteran affairs in the state to open a tent city; even though, it is not an ideal solution it is a quick and better one compared to the tents erected under highway overpass. Homeless elderly people experience various intense medical, psychological and social problems; moreover, elderly veterans have great sensitivity to effects of alcohol that dramatically lower the rate of developing social ties. These issues in return affect the elderly veteran’s ability to decide with regarding to housing, which increases the possibility of being evicted or abandoned by their family. Older homeless people tend to be invisible to policymakers and the public because of their social status leaving the veterans at the mercy of the streets for shelter. Veterans have been agitated in California because the president and the Veteran’s Affairs Department failed to build a home for homeless and disabled veterans on the land the government owns in Los Angeles that was set aside for that purpose. This does not go down well because on the land is a campus that has a hospital as well as an outpatient service; but, there is no long-term supportive housing for desperately ill veterans who live and die on street forsaken by the government they once served (New York Times, 2012). Besides, to be able to accurately understand the veteran community in the state necessitates a well-developed working relation with veteran service organizations and this can be ensured by collaborating with California Veterans Board that brings together the various groups of veterans in the state (California Veterans Board, 2011). Collaborating with the board could be key because the board determines policy of the operations in all departments including the essential changes affecting currently operating programs and the long-range planning regarding farm and Home Loan program for veterans (California Veterans Board, 2011). In conclusion, veteran administration services in California State offer some essential support to homeless veterans; however, a lot needs to be done in eliminating homeless veterans from the streets. One of the ways veteran administrators can help in the initiative is through collaborating with the California’s veteran board that plays a crucial role in programs administering veteran services. Moreover, for the time being the state can build a tent city that allows homeless veterans to have temporary housing awaiting development of permanent solution by the state. References Atkins, T. (n.d). The Road Home: Step One. Retrieved from http://asmdc.org/members/a78/pdf/TRH-HomelessVetDemographics.pdf Berk-Clark, V.C. (2013). Elderly Homeless Veterans in Los Angeles: Chronicity and Precipitants of Homelessness. American Journal Of Public Health, 103(S2), S232-S238. California Department of Veteran affairs. (2010). Veteran Housing. Retrieved from http://www.calvet.ca.gov/vetservices/Housing.aspx California Veterans Board. (2011). California Veterans Board: Annual Report 2010-2011. Retrieved from http://www.calvet.ca.gov/Files/AboutUs/calvet_report11.pdf LA Times Editorial board. (2013). A housing fix for California veterans. Retrieved from http://www.latimes.com/opinion/editorials/la-ed-vets-housing-bonds-20130915,0,7003285.story#axzz2qaASLRc3 New York Times. (2012). Homeless Veterans: Whose responsibility. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/09/opinion/homeless-veterans-whose-responsibility.html?_r=0 US Department of veteran affairs. (2012). Housing assistance. Retrieved from http://www.va.gov/homeless/housing.asp Read More