Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveE
I've seen stats where 1 in 4 homeless is a veteran
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The 'Urban Outdoorsmen' around here benefit from an unusually large number of non-profits started by people who've discovered that running one of these is much better than actually working for a living. The homeless are a growth industry in my community, with agencies practically tripping over each other to provide services for them. Many locals aren't happy with this situation, claiming that it's just attracting druggies, burnouts, petty thieves and other losers to the area. Stats are taken here too, and to no one's surprise, the vast majority of homeless surveyed claim to be born right here in town
Of course, the stats are taken by the very same people who are providing all the services, and they certainly don't want to see their gravy train get derailed by a public outcry about attracting all these outsiders with too many handouts.
As far as the number of homeless vets is concerned, the military simply isn't the same ever since the draft was discontinued. I believe that joining the military has become a last resort for many people who were pretty marginal to begin with. A stint in the service keeps them off the street for a few years, but after that, they're back to being lost in the ozone again.