Homeless
About one-third of the adult homeless population have served their country in the Armed Services. Current population estimates suggest that about 131,000 Veterans (male and female) are homeless on any given night and perhaps twice as many experience homelessness at some point during the course of a year. Many other Veterans are considered near homeless or at risk because of their poverty, lack of support from family and friends, and dismal living conditions in cheap hotels or in overcrowded or substandard housing.
Right now, the number of homeless male and female Vietnam era Veterans is greater than the number of service persons who died during that war -- and a small number of Desert Storm veterans are also appearing in the homeless population. Although many homeless Veterans served in combat in Vietnam and suffer from PTSD, at this time, epidemiologic studies do not suggest that there is a causal connection between military service, service in Vietnam, or exposure to combat and homelessness among Veterans. Family background, access to support from family and friends, and various personal characteristics (rather than military service) seem to be the stronger indicators of risk of homelessness
Almost all homeless Veterans are male (about three percent are women), the vast majority are single, and most come from poor, disadvantaged backgrounds. Homeless Veterans tend to be older and more educated than homeless non-Veterans. But similar to the general population of homeless adult males, about 45% of homeless Veterans suffer from mental illness and (with considerable overlap) slightly more than 70% suffer from alcohol or other drug abuse problems. Roughly 56% are African American or Hispanic.
VA offers a wide array of special programs and initiatives specifically designed to help homeless veterans live as self-sufficiently and independently as possible. In fact, VA is the only Federal agency that provides substantial hands-on assistance directly to homeless persons. Although limited to veterans and their dependents, VA's major homeless-specific programs constitute the largest integrated network of homeless treatment and assistance services in the country. VA's specialized homeless veterans treatment programs have grown and developed since they were first authorized in 1987. The programs strive to offer a continuum of services that include:
- aggressive outreach to those veterans living on streets and in shelters who otherwise would not seek assistance;
- clinical assessment and referral to needed medical treatment for physical and psychiatric disorders, including substance abuse;
- long-term sheltered transitional assistance, case management, and rehabilitation;
- employment assistance and linkage with available income supports; and
- supported permanent housing.
- Program Coordinators
- Facility Locators
- The mission of the Homeless Veteran Dental Program is to increase the accessibility of quality dental care to homeless Veteran patients and to help assure success in VA-sponsored and VA partnership homeless rehabilitation programs throughout the United States .
ND Coalition for Homeless People
- The North Dakota Coalition for Homeless People is a dynamic organization of service providers, joined together to work on the concerns of homelessness in our state. The Coalition believes that housing and other basic human needs should be within everyone's reach in an affordable and dignified manner. Our vision is to be a statewide team of agencies collaborating to end homelessness. Accomplishing this vision requires assistance from every community in the state. Regional Homeless Coalitions provide resources within communities to help accomplish this vision.
- Website that has resources for people in need: Social Services/Community Action etc.
Healthcare for Homeless Veterans
VA Medical Center
2101 Elm Street North
Fargo, ND 58102
701-293-3700 ex. 3472
FM Area Coalition
- Stand Downs are one part of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ efforts to provide services to homeless veterans. Stand Downs are typically one to three day events providing services to homeless Veterans such as food, shelter, clothing, health screenings, VA and Social Security benefits counseling, and referrals to a variety of other necessary services, such as housing, employment and substance abuse treatment. Stand Downs are collaborative events, coordinated between local VAs, other government agencies, and community agencies who serve the homeless. The first Stand Down was organized in 1988 by a group of Vietnam veterans in San Diego. Since then, Stand Downs have been used as an effective tool in reaching out to homeless Veterans, reaching more than 200,000 Veterans and their family members between 1994-2000.
- A complete list of North Dakota Homeless Shelters. Many other programs such as Food banks, Rent Assistance and more.
- The ND Division of Community Services periodically updates a list of Food Pantries operating within the State. This information is provided by the seven Community Action Agencies (CAAs) that provide services within their designated service areas.
- The list provides the name and address of the Food Pantry, and a contact person available to provide assistance and information. Food Pantries are independent entities that provide food and non-food items to eligible individuals and families. There are a number of sponsors of Food Pantries, including churches, faith-based organizations, community groups, non-profit agencies, service organizations, senior citizen centers, governmental units, etc. The hours of operation, eligibility requirements and the types of food and non-food items available also vary. For additional information about a particular Food Pantry, contact the person listed for the specific Food Pantry.
- A list of food banks, Food Pantries, Food Baskets and Hot Meals in North Dakota. Listed by city.
- The Missouri Valley Coalition for Homeless People, Inc. is a regional nonprofit dedicated to helping ensure that housing and other basic human needs are within everyone’s reach in an affordable and dignified manner. The coalition exists to advocate, coordinate and optimize services for people experiencing homelessness, or at risk of homelessness, across North Dakota’s Missouri Valley including the counties of Burleigh, Emmons, Grant, Kidder, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Oliver, Sheridan and Sioux.
- Stand Downs
