More Than 700 Homeless Veterans Sleep Outdoors in Oregon Every Night
More than 1,400 Oregon veterans are homeless, with at least 700 of these former servicemen and women sleeping outdoors, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Point-In-Time (PIT) database.
Despite efforts by the Governor, Tina Kotek, the VA, and Oregon Housing and Community Services, homelessness among veterans is an ongoing problem.
Oregon is One of Three States in the Country Where Homelessness Among Veterans Has Increased
Oregon is one of only three states in the country where the number of veterans who are homeless has increased over the last 15 years. The other two states are Maine and Vermont.
The Community Coordinator of the Oregon VA, Tyler Francke, begs homeless veterans to seek help, pointing out that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs allocates a budget for every identified veteran.
Francke says veterans should take advantage of the resources they have earned by serving their country.
There are Veteran’s Service offices in every county in Oregon, as well as in four tribal lands.
Homeless Veterans are Vulnerable
Francke describes most homeless veterans as vulnerable, adding that getting them off the streets is a priority for the Oregon VA.
According to statistics, female veterans outnumber their male counterparts, with older and LGBTQ veterans at a higher risk of homelessness.
Francke explains that it is difficult to assess exactly how many veterans are homeless because they are generally included with civilians in homeless counts statewide.
Statewide Housing Initiative Have Made Inroads
However, statewide initiatives to provide sufficient housing for veterans have made inroads.
Courtney Place is a 34-unit apartment complex completed last year in Salem to provide vet housing. The project formed part of the governor’s initiative to solve homelessness among veterans and was supported by Oregon Housing and Community Services, allied with nonprofits and church organizations.
Lane County is recognized for its ‘Home for every Veteran’ project, and last month the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs said 47,925 vets were housed in 2024 to date, which is 16.9% more than its original goal of 41,000.
Vietnam Navy Veteran Turns to Daily Tidings for Help
In a letter to Daily Tidings late last month, Vietnam Navy vet Scott R. Hadley appealed to Congress to write a bill making it illegal for any agency outside the veteran Administration to be involved in veteran affairs.
Outside Agencies Prey on Vets and Complicate Matters
Hadley said it was “repugnant that agencies prey on veterans,” knowing that most had some form of government income. The vet said the three non-VA agencies had checked his bank balance.
The 70-year-old vet said he arrived in Medford to seek help after his rent in Nevada was increased by an unaffordable $150 a month.
“Since I could not afford the increase in rent, I decided to turn to the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program (HUD-VASH) and left Nevada for Medford on October 2nd.”
He checked in on October 5, “only to find the various departments all chopped up…all of a sudden other organizations began to get involved, significantly complicating the process.”
Vet Said He Would Not Pretend to be an Alcoholic or Drug Addict
Hadley said non-profit organizations complicated the HUD-VASH process by sending him to a shelter, “but I’m not willing to pretend to be an alcoholic or a drug addict, solely for a bed.’
The Vietnam Navy vet had been homeless in Medford for 21 days when he wrote to Daily Tidings on 26 October 2024.
Congressman Cliff Bentz responded to Hadley’s letter, saying he was keen to help in any way possible.
Daily Tidings has learned that Hadley’s problem has been solved and we use his case as an example of homelessness faced by many vets throughout the country.