Addressing Veteran Homelessness: Causes and Solutions in Cortland
School
Tompkins Cortland Community College**We aren't endorsed by this school
Course
SOC 101
Subject
Sociology
Date
Dec 11, 2024
Pages
12
Uploaded by KidDiscoveryBat12
Combating Homelessness Among Veterans in Cortland CountyBy: Emily McCrackenCombating Homelessness Among Veterans in Cortland CountyBy: Emily McCracken
IntroductionO v e r v i ew : E x p l o re t h e p res s i n g i s s u e o f Vet e r a n h o m e l e s s n e s s i n C o r t l a n d C o u n t y , ex a m i n i n g i t s c a u s e d , i m p a c t s , a n d p o t e n t i a l s o l u t i o n s .P u r p o s e : H i g h l i g h t t h e n e e d f o r e ff e c t i v e i n t e r v e n t i o n s a n d p ro p o s e s c a l a b l e s o l u t i o n s t o s u p p o rt v e t e ra n s i n n e e d .Ke y P o i n t s :U n d e r s t a n d i n g t h e Sc o p e : I n s i g h t i n t o t h e p r e v a l e n c e a n d c o n t ri b u t i n g f a c t o r s o f v e t e ra n h o m e l es s n es s .I m p o r t a n c e o f Ac t i o n : W h y a d d re s s i n g t h i s i s s u e i s c ru c i a l f o r v e t e ra n s a n d s o c i e t y.Pr o p o s e d S o l u t i o n s : I n t r o d u c t i o n t o e x i s t i n g p r o g ra m s a n d p o t e n t i a l a d a p t a t i o n s f o r g r e a t er i m p a c t .
Background on Veteran HomelessnessUnderstanding the Issue:*Prevalence: Thousands of veteran's face homelessness annually.*Contributing Factors: Mental health challenges, PTSD, unemployment, and lack of affordable housing.Why Change is Needed:*Moral Obligation: Veterans deserve support for their service.*Social Impact: Homelessness affects community well-being.*Economic Costs: Addressing the issue can reduce long-term societal expenses.Proposed Solution:*Existing Program: HUD-VASH, which combines housing vouchers with supportive services.*Adaptation for Scale: Expand the program by increasing funding, enhancing outreach, and improving agency coordination.
Social Structures in Veteran HomelessnessS o c i a l S t a t u s e s :*Ve t e r a n S t a t u s: C h a l l e n g e s l i k e m e n t a l h e a l t h i s s u e s a n d r e i n t e g r a t i o n d i ffi c u l t i e s .*E c o n o m i c S t a t u s : P o v e r t y i m p a c t s a c c e s s t o h o u s i n g a n d r e s o u r c e s .G r o u p s : * Ve t e r a n S u p p o r t G r o u p s : O r g a n i z a t i o n s o ff e r i n g s u p p o r t a n d a d v o c a c y.C o m m u n i t y N e t w o r k s : L o c a l c o m m u n i t i e s a n d n o n p r o fi t s a i d i n g .I n s t i t u t i o n s :* G o v e r n m e n t A g e n c i e s : D e p a r t m e n t s l i k e V e t e r a n s A ff a i r s ( VA ) f o c u s e d o n w e l f a r e .* H e a l t h c a r e S y s t e m s : A c c e s s t o m e n t a l h e a l t h a n d m e d i c a l s e r v i c e s i s c r u c i a l .I m p a c t o f S o c i a l S t r u c t u r e s :* R e s o u r c e A l l o c a t i o n : D i s t r i b u t i o n o f r e s o u r c e s a m o n g v e t e r a n s .* P o l i c y D e v e l o p m e n t : I n fl u e n c e o n po l i c i e s a ff e c t i n g v e t e r a n h o m e l e s s n e s s .
Agency and Structure in Addressing Veteran HomelessnessA g e n c y :I n d i v i d u a l C h o i c e s : Pe r s o n a l d e c i s i o n s i m p a c t v e t e r a n s ’ h o m e l e s s n e s s e x p e r i e n c e sRe s i l i e n c e a n d Ad a p t a t i o n : Ve t e r a n s o ft e n s h o w re s i l i e n c e i n o v e rc o m i n g c h a l l e n g e sR o l e o f S t r u c t u r e : I n s t i t u t i o n a l B a r r i e r s : L i m i t e d a c c e s s d u e t o i n a d e q u a t e s u p p o r t s y s t e m sE c o n o m i c S y s t e m s : J o b m a r ke t a n d h o u s i n g a ff o r d a b i l i t y a ff e c t s t a b i l i t yI n t e r p l ay B e t w e e n A g e n c y a n d S t r u c t u r e :N a v i g a t i n g S y s t e m s: Ve t e r a n s ’ a g e n c y i s c o n s t r a i n e d b y s t r u c t u r a l l i m i t a t i o n sP o l i c y I n fl u e n c e : E ff e c t i v e p o l i c i e s c a n e n h a n c e a g e n c y b y re m o v i n g b a r r i e r s .I m p l i c a t i o n s f o r S o l u t i o n s :H o l i s t i c A p p r o a c h e s : Ad d re s s b o t h i n d i v i d u a l a n d s t r u c t u r a l f a c t o r sE m p o w e r m e n t a n d Re f o r m : Fo c u s o n e d u c a t i o n a n d s y s t e m re f o r m f o r s u s t a i n a b l e s o l u t i o n s
Social Stratification and Inequalities in Veteran HomelessnessE c o n o m i c I n e q u a l i t y :I n c o m e D i s p a r i t i e s : Ve t e r a n s o f t e n f a c e u n e m p l o y m e n t , l e a d i n g t o fi n a n c i a l i n s t a b i l i t y a n d i n c re a s e d r i s k o f h o m e l e s s n e s sA c c e s s t o R e s o u r c e s : L i m i t e d a c c e s s t o a ff o r d a b l e h o u s i n g a n d h e a l t h c a re e x a c e r b a t e s e c o n o m i c c h a l l e n g e sS o c i a l I n e q u a l i t y : M a r g i n a l i z a t i o n : H o m e l e s s v e t e r a n s e x p e r i e n c e s o c i a l e x c l u s i o n a n d s t i g m a , i m p a c t i n g r e i n t e g r a t i o n i n t o s o c i e t y.D i s c r i m i n a t i o n : C h a l l e n g e s i n e m p l o y m e n t a n d h o u s i n g m a r ke t s f u r t h e r e n t re n c h t h e i r d i s a d v a n t a g e d s t a t u s .H e a l t h I n e q u a l i t y :M e n t a l H e a l t h C h a l l e n g e s : H i g h p r e v a l e n c e o f P T S D a n d o t h e r m e n t a l h e a l t h i s s u e s c a n h i n d e r s t a b l e h o u s i n gH e a l t h c a r e A c c e s s : I n e q u a l i t i e s i n a c c e s s i n g m e n t a l h e a l t h a n d m e d i c a l s e r v i c e s p e r p e t u a t e c y c l e s o f h o m e l e s s n e s s .I n t e r s e c t i o n a l i t y :R a c e a n d G e n d e r : M i n o r i t y a n d f e m a l e v e t e r a n s m a y f a c e c o m p o u n d e d i n e q u a l i t i e s d u e t o i n t e r s e c t i n g s o c i a l i d e n t i t i e s .
Applying the Sociological Imagination to Veteran HomelessnessPersonal Trouble Perspective: *Individual Challenges: PTSD, unemployment, and lack of support networks.*Impact on Daily Life: Diffi culty securing stable housing and maintaining mental health.Societal Perspective:*Structural Factors: Economic inequality, inadequate mental health services, insuffi cient veteran support systems.*Cultural Attitudes: Infl uence of societal views on military service and mental health.Connecting the Two:*Interplay of Factors: Personal experiences and intertwined with societal structures.*Need for Comprehensive Solutions: Requires both individual support and systemic change.
Recommendation 1-Structural Policy ChangeTitle: Enhance Housing Policies for VeteransRecommendation:*Implement Comprehensive Housing PoliciesLevel of Change:*Structural Policy ChangeDetails:*Legislation: Propose new laws or amend existing ones for veteran-specifi c housing projects.*Partnerships: Collaborate with non-profi ts and housing authorities.*Funding: Secure funding through government grants and community eff orts.Goal:*Sustainable Housing Solutions
Recommendation 2-Community-Based InitiativesTitle: Strengthen Community Support NetworksRecommendation:*Develop Local Support ProgramsLevel of Change:*Community-Based InitiativesDetails: *Local Partnerships: Collaborate with community organizations and veteran groups.*Resource Centers: Provide access to job training, mental health support, and more.*Volunteer Programs: Encourage community involvement and support for veterans.Goal:*Empowered Communities
Recommendation 3-Educational and Employment OpportunitiesTitle: Enhance Education and Employment PathwaysRecommendation:*Expand Access to Education and Job TrainingLevel of Change:*Individual and Institutional SupportDetails:*Education Programs: Develop tailored educational programs and offer scholarships.*Job Training: Create vocational training and collaborate with businesses for internships.*Career Counseling: Provide personalized career counseling and job search resources.Goal:*Successful Transition
Sources1.VHA Office of Mental Health.VA.gov | Veterans Affairs. Retrieved from www.va.gov/homeless.2.Office of Policy and Planning.VA.gov | Veterans Affairs. Retrieved from www.va.gov/vetdata.3.Montgomery, A. E. (2021). Understanding the Dynamics of Homelessness among Veterans Receiving Outpatient Care: Lessons Learned from Universal Screening. The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 693(1), 230-243. https://doi.org/10.1177/00027162219951614.Johnson, B. (2015, August 1). Formerly Homeless Vet Working to Bring Others Home. Pensacola News Journal. Retrieved from www.pnj.com/story/life/2015/07/31/formerly-homeless-vet-working-bring-others-home/30974623.
Thank YouEmily McCrackenerm025@mymail.tc3.edu