This document discusses homelessness among veterans in the United States. It notes that there are an estimated 50,000 homeless veterans nationwide, though the true numbers including family members are likely higher. These veterans served to protect Americans' freedoms and way of life. The VA has a program to help veterans pay rent, but homeless veterans lack the funds for initial costs like security deposits. The document introduces Veterans Matter, a nonprofit that raises money to provide security deposits and first months' rent to help qualified homeless veterans secure housing. It states over 800 veterans and their families totaling over 1100 people have been housed through Veterans Matter since 2012.

1. What do you think of when you hear the word veteran?
I can tell you what I used to think of: either someone who is my father or grandfather’s
age or the young guys coming out of the service today. I don’t really even think of those
my age, and I had classmates go through Desert Storm. I don’t often think of the
women who have served either (even though that came about in my generation too).
Often, we thank men and women in their uniforms for the service, we honor them on the
appropriate holidays. We may see someone holding a sign saying they’re a homeless
vet and we feel sorry for him/her, and maybe give money if we have it. But what do we
really do?
It is estimated that there are 50,000 veterans that are homeless throughout the United
States. Yes 50,000! That doesn’t include their families (spouse and/or children). This
50,000 is just the number of veterans that are known about, not everyone and not their
family members. It is overwhelming to even guess at what those numbers truly are.
How does this affect me? These brave men and women went into the service to
protect: our freedoms, our right to do whatever we want (stupid or not), basically it boils
down to protecting our way of life. They didn’t ask to be injured, hurt mentally or
whatever other reason that caused them to become homeless. Why wouldn’t we give
back to these wonderful individuals who willing sign up?
The VA has an awesome program that will help pay the rent for each veteran that
qualifies, all the veteran has to do is come up with the security deposit and their portion
of the first month’s rent. Well if you are homeless, the last thing you have is a checking
or savings account with about $1000.00 or more to move into an apartment depending
on where you are staying.
What can we do? There is a wonderful organization that raises monies to give back to
the veterans, Veterans Matter. The veteran has to have appropriate housing lined up
(Meaning it has been approved, it is safe, etc.), they have a HUD-VASH voucher from
the government, as well as being referred by a licensed VA social worker. The social
worker fills out a form online and once approved, the check for the security deposit/first
month’s rent (veteran’s portion) is sent off to the property manager/landlord.
How can I become involved? Simply, you can donate to this organization. I know what
you might be thinking, “Is it safe? Is it reputable? I’ve never heard about it”. Yes it is
safe and reputable, it was started in Toledo in 2012 by Mr. Ken Leslie who founded Tent
City, and since that time there have been over 800 veterans along with family members
that have been housed. That totals over 1100 people including 300+ children. There
are also 20 celebrities that sponsor Veterans Matter, people like: Kid Rock, Mitch
Albom, John Mellencamp and John Rich just to name a few.
For more information or to donate, check out: www.veteransmatter.org