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Publication Date
4-1-2022
Document Type
Poster
Degree Type
Graduate
Department
Politics and Government
Mentor
Michael Hendricks
Mentor Department
Politics and Government
Co-Mentor
Carl Palmer
Abstract
On any given day, in the world’s richest country, 1 in 4 Americans who experience chronic homelessness and housing insecurities are Veterans. Unfortunately, government initiatives from previous administrations have not directly addressed the root causes of veteran homelessness and veteran unemployment, merely throwing money at the problem. However, homelessness in the veteran population is preventable. Yet, with the proper active duty job/career training and their wealth of knowledge and experience, America’s veterans can significantly contribute to the American GDP and workforce. If we can use their skills appropriately in the 21st Century civilian workplace, we would likely see a significant reduction in veteran homelessness. In this study, I examine how the types of transferrable job skills post 9-11 veterans received during training affect their housing insecurity and homelessness once they return stateside. For my research methods, I have chosen a multi-method approach. I will use deductive reasoning and specific research questions to learn about military job training and military jobs held by post 9-11 soldiers who rank E-1 to E-4 while on active duty. Finally, I rely on qualitative interviews of officials at the Department of Veterans Affairs regarding any trends, patterns, and insights regarding veteran job insecurity and veteran housing insecurity. All of America’s displaced veterans deserve the opportunity to go from hopeless to homeless to hired to housing.
On any given day, in the world’s richest country, 1 in 4 Americans who experience chronic homelessness and housing insecurities are Veterans. Unfortunately, government initiatives from previous administrations have not directly addressed the root causes of veteran homelessness and veteran unemployment, merely throwing money at the problem. However, homelessness in the veteran population is preventable. Yet, with the proper active duty job/career training and their wealth of knowledge and experience, America’s veterans can significantly contribute to the American GDP and workforce. If we can use their skills appropriately in the 21st Century civilian workplace, we would likely see a significant reduction in veteran homelessness. In this study, I examine how the types of transferrable job skills post 9-11 veterans received during training affect their housing insecurity and homelessness once they return stateside. For my research methods, I have chosen a multi-method approach. I will use deductive reasoning and specific research questions to learn about military job training and military jobs held by post 9-11 soldiers who rank E-1 to E-4 while on active duty. Finally, I rely on qualitative interviews of officials at the Department of Veterans Affairs regarding any trends, patterns, and insights regarding veteran job insecurity and veteran housing insecurity. All of America’s displaced veterans deserve the opportunity to go from hopeless to homeless to hired to housing.
Recommended Citation
Walsh, Jeffrey, "FROM HOPELESS TO HOMELESS TO HIRED TO HOUSING- ELIMINATING VETERAN HOMELESSNESS" (2022). University Research Symposium. 373.
https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/rsp_urs/373