by Katie Kahn

One would think that when brave soldiers came back from Iraq, they would have a safe home to return to. However, studies show that a high percentage of these heroes are returning with mental problems, and showing up at homeless shelters around the nation.

Today, more than 10,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are homeless or in programs aimed at keeping them off the streets. This number has doubled since 2006. Also, these veterans are turning up in the streets much sooner after returning than even the Vietnam veterans did.

There are high rates of PTSD in these homeless vets, which can lead to substance abuse and difficulty reintegrating into families and work. The poor economy and the nature of the current wars also add to the vets’ difficulties in coming back home.

Today, there are many efforts to help get these heroes off the streets and back on their feet. There are more than 2,400 non-profit organizations across the country that now have homeless veteran programs. In New Jersey, 8.6% of the population is homeless veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. The Veterans Transitional Housing Program is working to medically evaluate, and rehabilitate veterans.

It is important to realize that a large percentage of the homeless are veterans. Common stereotypes about the homeless being lazy or unproductive citizens are simply untrue; especially when it comes to men and women who have served our country so heroically. Being conscious of the difficulties these citizens face in returning home is important to being an aware and active citizen.

This article originally appeared in the Fall 2011 edition of The Wall Newspaper.