The issue of veterans returning to homelessness is discussed in the Ending Veteran Homelessness podcast. Dr. Jack Tsai, Dr. Thomas Byrne and Ken Mueller delve into the complex reasons behind this trend, citing factors such as income changes, lack of social support and health conditions that contribute to veterans ending up back on the streets, according to an Aug. 18 news release.
“What we’re seeing are indicators of folks who need a little bit more support and some implications for making sure they are connected to the supports that they need,” Byrne said in the release.
Tsai is the research director for VA’s National Center on Homelessness among Veterans, the release reported. Byrne is an investigator with the VA National Center on Homelessness among Veterans and the Center for Healthcare Outcomes and Implementation Research at the VA Bedford Healthcare System. Mueller is a senior business operations specialist in the Homeless Programs Office.
The podcast exploration delves into the intricate landscape of veterans reverting to homelessness, aiming to uncover the root causes behind this disconcerting trend, according to the release.
For many veterans, seeking assistance through VA’s homeless programs is an endeavor. They might have been skeptical about seeking help previously, but eventually managed to access the support they needed and rightfully deserved. Navigating the path toward stable housing can prove arduous, intensifying the anguish of returning to homelessness, the release reported.
A veteran's journey back to homelessness can be influenced by a range of factors, including changes in income or employment, unmanageable rent hikes, limited familial and social networks or medical challenges faced by themselves or their loved ones. Following successful exit from a VA homeless program, the period of highest risk for returning to homelessness is within the initial 90 to 100 days of being placed in permanent housing. However, some face a risk higher than the average, the release said.
In a recent study by the VA, contributing factors affecting a veteran's likelihood of relapsing into homelessness encompassed experiences of military sexual trauma, substance misuse, mental health struggles, significant medical conditions requiring inpatient care and a lack of social support. It's evident those grappling with more intense health issues or undergoing a health crisis are at heightened risk of reverting to homelessness, the release reported.
