Homeless Veterans in Oregon

Veteran homelessness continues to be a constant issue nationwide but also right here in Oregon. In this state alone, there are more than 1,400 currently documented, but many more remain unidentified as having served in military. Since President Obama had set forth an initiative to end veteran homelessness, the number has dropped 33% in the state of Oregon, but it is far from where it needs to be. Aside from shelter for a single night and a hot meal, there is currently no long term solution for this. In Portland alone, there are currently 422 registered veterans identified as homeless, which accounts for 11% of the total homeless in Multnomah County. The biggest problem is that these veterans are not getting the assistance they need in registering for VA benefits, and those that have are still backlogged in the system, remaining homeless for months or even years waiting for the benefits they are entitled to. In light of this, many of these individuals still rely heavily on OHP instead, which is quite limiting considering everything that could be offered through the VA. While this remains a perpetual problem for veterans living on the streets of Portland, the number only seems to be increasing each year.

-Jeremiah Cohen