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Posted on Tue, Nov. 10, 2009

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Number of homeless Kansas veterans rises

BY BRENT D. WISTROM

The Wichita Eagle

The number of homeless veterans in Kansas has grown in recent years, according to a new report from the National Alliance to End Homelessness.

New estimates show that there were 712 homeless vets in Kansas in 2008.

That's up from 689 in 2007 and 601 in 2006.

Nationwide, new estimates show 131,000 veterans were homeless in 2008. Veterans are about twice as likely to be homeless as the general population.

The new figures are based on reports from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs facilities and local point-in-time counts of those who are homeless.

About 4 percent of those who sought care from the VA were veterans from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Most are 35 to 54 years old.

"The problems that we've had for 20 years have not been solved," said M. William Sermons, director of the Alliance's Homelessness Research Institute.

Last week, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced a five-year goal of cutting the number of homeless vets using $3.2 billion.

Some worry that the recession may result in a sharp increase in homelessness among veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Locally, a count of homeless people in Sedgwick County in January showed a 20 percent drop from the year before, to 384 homeless people.

But some warn that the definition of homeless for that count underestimates the true figure because it doesn't count people who may be staying with friends or relatives or in a motel.

The Lord's Diner, which offers no-questions-asked meals, serves about 450 people a night — some of whom have homes or apartments, others who are homeless.

A new program that offers rental assistance to people who are homeless or are in imminent risk of becoming homeless fielded more than 200 calls from people hoping to apply by 2 p.m. Monday, according to Mary K. Vaughn, director of the city's housing and community services department.

"It's been tremendous," she said.

The Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program will pay rent and utilities for up to 18 months for those who qualify.

Federal stimulus dollars fund the program. There's only enough money to help an estimated 275 people.

It's unclear how many of those applicants are veterans, she said.

The program may reach its capacity this week, though it's unclear how many of those who called will qualify.

Reach Brent D. Wistrom at 316-268-6228 or bwistrom@wichitaeagle.com.