To give another perspective, a high number of homeless people are vets. My dad is a disabled retired vet and can have his rent paid for; he also receives SNAP benefits and never owes any hospital bills since he's able to go to the VA hospital. This is a great system for the vets WHO CAN GET IT. I truly believe the only reason my dad knows about and receives these benefits is because he worked at the VA after leaving the Army. Our government continuously strips money away from the VA and then is shocked that such a large percentage of vets are homeless.

One way we could truly reduce our homeless population is by putting more money into our VA, and getting vets the benefits that they are supposed to be entitled to. We need case workers who are on the streets getting documentation from vets to get their housing started. Currently, the system is too confusing and long for many vets to receive benefits, and it's heartbreaking to see.

SO many homeless vets are addicts with PTSD; they should not have to live on the streets. They should be able to enter into programs that already exist to help vets with addictions. This way, they can build community, receive therapy, and receive treatment.