Voice of the White House
July 18, 2017
Washington, D.C.: There has recently appeared in intelligence circles inside the Beltway a highly classified report by a German intelligence agency giving a horrifying report on burgeoning American social and economic problems. I have a copy of this but there is no way I would print it in toto. But from it, I learn that 1,652,832 Amercans are now homeless. This documented report speaks to those unfortunates now living on the streets, in cars, in homeless shelters, or in subsidized transitional housing . Of that number, 582,348 were family groups, 582,981 were individuals, and a quarter of the entire group were children under the age of ten.
135,592 individuals, or 15% of the homeless population, are considered 'chronically homeless.' Chronic homelessness is defined as an individual who has a disability and has experienced homelessness for a year or longer, or and individual who has a disability and has experienced at least four episodes of homelessness in the last three years (must be a cumulative of 12 months).
Families with at least one adult member who meets that description are also considered chronically homeless and the greater number of these tend to have high rates of behavioral health problems, including severe mental illness and substance abuse disorders; conditions that may be exacerbated by physical illness, injury, or trauma.
47,725, or about 18% of the homeless population, are veterans.
Homeless veterans have served in several different conflicts from WWII to the recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The nation's capital has the highest rate of veteran homelessness in the nation (282.7 homeless veterans per 10,000). 45% of homeless veterans are Black or Hispanic. While less than 10% of homeless veterans are women, that number is seen to be sharply rising.
1.4 million veterans are at risk of homelessness. This is partially due to poverty, overcrowding in government housing, and a wide spread lack of governmental support networks. This report indicates that those who served in the late Vietnam and post-Vietnam era are at greatest risk of homelessness. War-related disabilities or disorders often contribute to veteran homelessness, including physical disabilities, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury, depression, anxiety, and addiction.
821,000 unaccompanied single youth and young adults under the age of 24 experience a homeless episode of longer than one week. Approximately 531,000 of that total are under the age of 18.
Accurately counting homeless children and youth is particularly difficult.
62% of the homeless population are over the age of 50. These individuals often face additional health and safety risks associated with age. They are more prone to injuries from falls, and may suffer from cognitive impairment, vision or hearing loss, major depression, and chronic conditions like diabetes and arthritis.
There is no doubt this highly negative report is accurate and wherever possible, I have been able to verify the depressing and potentially very dangerous numbers.
Unless the government agencies make a sincere effort to address these growing and worsening problems, there is very rough sailing ahead for complaisant and corrupt Washington.