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Homeless vets
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Approximately 40% of homeless men are veterans, although veterans comprise
only 34% of the general adult male population (according to a study of
the National Coalition for the Homeless, published in March 1997). Despite
the overrepresentation of veterans in the homeless population, homelessness
among veterans ís not clearly related to combat military experience.
Rather, recent studies show that homeless veterans appear less likely to
have served in combat than housed veterans. Research indicates, that the
veterans who are at greatest risk of homelessness are those who served
during the late Vietnam and post-Vietnam era. These veterans had little
exposure to combat, but appear to have increased rates of mental illness
and addiction disorders, possibly due to recruitment patterns. Faced with
a lack of affordable housing, declining job opportunities, and stagnating
wages, people with these disabilities are more vulnerable to homelessness.
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