Veteran Homelessness
June 2015
NJ Counts 2015, New Jersey’s annual Point-In-Time (PIT) Count of the Homeless,
provides a statewide snapshot of homeless households in our communities; where
they find shelter, what their needs are, and what factors contribute to making them
homeless. The 2015 Count reveals important demographic and other information
about families and individuals who were homeless on the night of Tuesday, January
27th, 2015 or Tuesday, February 3rd, 2015 (depending on the community) and was
carried out with the help of government agencies, community-based organizations,
and local volunteers.
There are always a number of factors that influence the count. This year’s count
took place during a blizzard and at a time when much of NJ was experiencing
temperatures in the 20’s.
In its plan, Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End
Homelessness, the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) has
prioritized ending homelessness among veterans by 2015. Many communities in New
Jersey have also been working hard to end homelessness among our country’s
servicemen and women.
695 homeless veteran households, composed of 738 persons were counted on the
nights of the 2015 count, an increase of about 74 households (11.9%) from 2014.
674 households were individual veterans, 6 were adult only households and the
remaining 15 households (2.2%) were veteran families. The largest contingent of
homeless veteran households was found to be staying in transitional housing
(47.5%). There were 80 unsheltered veteran households, composed of 85 persons in
2015. This is an increase of 5 households from 2014. The large majority of persons
in veteran households were male (89.6%). The most common racial background
identified among persons in veteran households was Black or African American
(53%). Another 43% identified as White. 40 individual veterans reported being
victims of domestic violence and 536 persons in veteran households (72.6%)
reported having some kind of disability. The most common disabilities reported were
mental health issues (59.9%), substance abuse disorders (54.5%) and chronic health
conditions (44.4%). 41.7% of veteran households reported no source of cash
income. 3.2% of veteran households reported receiving Veteran’s Pension and
13.2% reported receiving Veteran’s Disability. In regards to non-cash benefits, nearly
half (47.3%) of veterans households said they were connected to VA Benefits. The
top three services that homeless veteran households sought were emergency shelter
(59.6%), financial assistance for housing (25.6%) and mental health care (23.7%).
Atlantic County - 65 homeless veterans were reported on the night of the count,
27 more (71.1%) than in 2014. All but one were adult individuals. The largest
contingent of homeless veterans was staying in transitional housing (50.8%) followed
by 32.3% in emergency shelters and 16.9% that were unsheltered. Veterans
experiencing homelessness in Atlantic County were predominantly male (92.3%), and
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the most common racial background identified among them (37 veterans, 56.9%)
was White, followed by 28 (43.1%) identifying as Black or African American. 1
homeless veteran reported being a victim of domestic violence. 43 of the 65, 66.2%,
reported having some kind of disability. The most common disability cited among
homeless veterans was chronic health conditions (65.1%);, 18 homeless veterans
reported mental health issues (27.7%), and 17 (26.2%) said they had a substance
abuse disorder. 3.1% of veterans reported receiving VA pensions while 4.6%
received VA disability benefits. 38.5% of homeless veterans indicated they had no
source of income. 44.6% of homeless veterans were connected to VA healthcare
benefits.
Bergen County - 22 homeless veteran households were counted on the night of
the count, 4 more than 2014. The majority, 90.9%, were individual veterans, 1 was an
adult only household composed of 2 persons, and the final household was a
household with at least 1 adult and child under 18, composed of 3 persons, making
the total number of persons in veteran households 25. 88% of persons in veteran’s
households experiencing homelessness in Bergen County were male, and the most
common racial background identified among them was White (56%). 3 individual
homeless veterans reported being victims of domestic violence and 13 of the 25,
52%, of persons in veteran’s households reported having some kind of disability.
The most common disabilities cited were substance abuse disorders (61.5%) and
chronic health conditions (53.8%). 13.6% of veteran households were receiving
Veteran’s Disability as a form of income, and 18.2% were connected to VA non-cash
benefits. The two types of service that homeless veteran households sought most
were emergency shelter (40.9%) and legal services (18.2%).
Tri-County - On the night of January 27th, 2014, a total of 255 persons, in 195
households, were experiencing homelessness in the Tri-County CoC, which in
composed of Warren, Hunterdon and Sussex Counties, according to the 2015 PointIn-Time Count.
75 homeless veterans were counted on the night of the count, 14 more (23%) than
2014. All 75 were members of adult-only individual households. The largest
contingent of homeless veterans was staying in transitional housing (58.7%). In
addition, 31 were in emergency shelter (41.3%). Of the veterans experiencing
homelessness within the Tri-County CoC, 67 (89.3%) were male, and 8 (10.7%) were
female. The most common racial background identified among them (42 veterans,
57.5%) was White, while 30 (41.1%) identified as Black or African-American. 7
homeless veterans also reported being victims of domestic violence. 67 of the 75
(89.3%) reported having some kind of disability. The most common disabilities cited
among the disabled were mental health issues (64.2%), substance abuse disorders
(56.7%), physical disabilities (33.3%), and chronic health conditions (33.3%). The
three types of service that homeless veterans sought most were emergency shelter
(86.7%), financial assistance for housing (54.7%), and mental health care (62.7%).
Burlington County - 18 veteran households were counted in the 2015 Point in
Time. This represents a 5.2% (1 veteran household) decrease over the number of
veteran households identified in 2014. The majority of the veteran households
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(66.6%) were adult-only, while 6 households (33.3%) were families with children
under the age of 18. 77.7% of the veteran households were in emergency shelters,
5.5% were in transitional housing and 16.6% were unsheltered. The majority of
persons in veteran households were male (60%), while 40% identified in 2015 were
female (6 persons). The majority of persons in veteran households identified their
racial background as White (51.4%), and 42.9% identified themselves as Black or
African Households with Children In contrast to 2014 results there was an increase
of 11 children (550%) under the age of 18 in veteran households, an increase of 7
adults (116%) between the ages of 18 and 44, and a decrease of 6 adults (40%) over
the age of 45. Among those identifying as veterans, no veterans indicated they were
victims of domestic violence. 13 veterans (68.4%) reported having a disability. The
most common disabilities cited were mental health issues (53.8%) and chronic health
conditions (46.1%). With regards to income, 11.1% (2 veteran households) of
veteran households were connected to VA pension, 11.1% (2 veterans households)
were connected to VA disability and 22.2% (4 veteran households) were connected
to VA healthcare benefits. 33.3% households reported no source of income, and
22.2% of veteran households were not receiving any non-cash mainstream benefits.
Camden County - 136 homeless persons in households with veterans counted on
the night of the count, 5 more than were counted in 2014 (3.8%). All were part of
adult-only households, and 1 was part of an adult couple. The largest contingent of
homeless persons in veteran households was found to be staying in transitional
housing (86.8%). 7 persons in veteran households were unsheltered (5.1%), and 11
were in emergency shelters (8.1%). Persons in veteran households experiencing
homelessness in Camden County were predominantly male (96.6%), and the most
common racial background identified among them was Black or African-American
(60.9%), followed by those identifying as White (36%). 108 of the 136 persons in
veteran households, 79.4%, reported having some kind of disability. The most
common disability among these was mental health issues, which affected 66 persons
(48.5%). 60 (44.1%) reported substance abuse disorders, 48 (35.3%) reported chronic
health problems, and 30 (22%) had physical disabilities. The three types of services
that homeless veteran households sought the most were emergency shelter (91.2%),
mental health care (47%), and financial assistance for housing (22.8%). 4.3% of
veterans were connected to VA pensions, 11.4% were connected to VA disability
benefits, and 46.4% were connected to VA healthcare benefits.
Cape May County - There were no homeless veterans counted in Cape May
County on the night of the count (February 3rd, 2015), 1 fewer (100%) than 2014.
Cumberland County - 9 homeless veteran households were counted on the night
of the count, showing no change from 2014. 8 of the 9 were individual veterans, the
last household was a veteran family composed of 5 persons. All veteran households
were in emergency shelters, except for 2 individual veteran households (22.2%).
76.9% of the persons in veteran households were male. 9 of the 13 (69.2%)
identified their racial background as Black or African-American. The other 4 persons
self-identified as White (33.3%). Figure 9 shows the percentage of persons in veteran
households by age range. 2 individual veterans reported being victims of domestic
violence. 10 persons, 76.9%, reported having a disability. The top reported
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disabilities were mental health issues, substance abuse disorders and physical
disabilities, which were each reported by 4 persons. None of the 9 veteran
households reported being connected to Veteran related sources of income or noncash benefits. The top service requested by veteran households was housing (66.7%).
Essex County - 59 homeless veterans households, composed of 68 persons, were
counted on the night of the count. This represents 5 more (9.3%) households than in
2014. 3 households were veteran families with children under 18, composed of 10
persons. The remaining 56 households were adult only households composed of 54
persons. The largest contingent of homeless veteran households were found to be
staying in emergency shelters (44.1%). In addition, 17 adult only veteran households
were unsheltered (28.8%), and 16 veteran households were in transitional housing
(27.1%). Veterans experiencing homelessness in Essex County were predominantly
male (77.9%), and the most common racial background identified among them (53
veterans, 77.9%) was Black or African American; 11 (16.2%) identified as White. 1
veteran reported being victims of domestic violence. 41 of the 68 persons in veteran
households, 60.3%, reported having some kind of disability. The two most common
disabilities among these were mental health issues (45.6%) and physical disabilities
(25.0%). The two types of services that homeless veteran households sought the
most were emergency shelter (83.1%) and financial assistance for housing (23.7%).
Only 3.4% of veteran households were connected to VA disability benefits, and
5.1% were connected to VA pensions. 44.1% of veteran households reported they
had no source of income. 27.1% of veteran households indicated they were
connected with VA healthcare benefits while 28.8% reported that they weren’t
connected to any noncash benefits.
Gloucester County - There were no homeless veterans counted in Gloucester
County on the night (February 3rd, 2015) of the count. This represents a 100%
decrease (2 veterans) since 2014.
Hudson County - 43 veteran households were counted in the 2015 Point in Time,
9 (26.5%) more than in 2014. While most were individuals (97.7%), 1 was part of a
family household, making it a total of 45 persons served in veteran households on
the night of the PIT. 68.9% of persons in veterans households were staying in
emergency shelters, while another 6.7% were in transitional housing project. In
addition, there were 11 unsheltered veterans counted, a decrease of 4 from 2014.
Homeless persons in veteran households in Hudson County were predominantly
male (91.1%), and the most common racial background was Black or African
American (48.9%). 2 homeless veterans reported being a victim of domestic
violence, and 24 persons in veteran’s households reported having a disability. The
most common disabilities cited were substance abuse and mental health issues, with
each being reported by 54% of disabled persons in veteran households. The top two
services that veteran households sought were shelter (74.4%) and financial assistance
for housing (30.2%).
Hunterdon County - 74 homeless veterans were counted on the night of the
count, this is an increase of 14 veterans, from the 60 that were counted in 2014. All
veterans were members of adult-only households. 30 (40.5%) were staying in
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emergency shelter, while 44 (59.5%) were in transitional housing. 67 (90.5%) of the
veterans experiencing homelessness in Hunterdon County were male, and 7 (9.5%)
were female. 55.4% identified their race as White and 40.5% as Black or African
American. 67 of the 74, 90.5%, reported having some kind of disability. The most
common disabilities cited among these were mental health issues; with 43 veterans
(58.1%), and substance abuse issues, reported by 38 veterans (51.4%). The three
types of service that homeless veterans sought most were emergency shelter (86.5%),
mental health care (63.5%) and financial assistance for housing (55.4%).
Mercer County - 31 homeless veterans were counted on the night of the count, 7
fewer (18.4%) than in 2014. All were single individuals. The largest contingent of
homeless veterans was found to be staying in Emergency Shelter (58.1%). In
addition, 11 veterans were unsheltered (35.5%), and 2 were in transitional housing
(6.4%). Veterans experiencing homelessness in Mercer County were predominantly
male (96.8%), and the most common racial background identified among them (22
veterans, 71%) was Black or African American; 9 (29%) identified as White. Figure 9
illustrates the age ranges of homeless persons in households with veterans. 4 of the
veterans (12.9%) reported being victims of domestic violence. 20 of the 31 veterans,
64.5%, reported having some kind of disability. The most common disability among
these were substance abuse disorders which affected 11 veterans (35.5%). 8 veterans
(25.8%) said they had mental health issues, 9 (29%) reported chronic health
conditions, and 6 (19.3%) reported having a physical disability. Only 1 veteran was
connected to VA pension benefits and 6 veterans (19.4%) were connected to VA
healthcare benefits. About 51% of veterans reported no source of income and 22.6%
indicated they were not connected to any mainstream benefits.
Middlesex County - 22 homeless veteran households were counted on the night
of the count, 10 (31.2%) fewer than in 2014. 21 (95.5%) were individuals and 1
(4.5%) was part of a family with one adult and two children. The largest contingent
of homeless persons in veteran households was found to be staying in emergency
shelter (58.3%). In addition, 1 veteran was unsheltered (4.5%), and 9 persons in
veteran households were in transitional housing (37.5%). Homeless persons in
veteran households in Middlesex County were predominantly male (87.5%), and the
most common racial background identified among them was White (17 persons,
70.8%), followed by 7 (29.2%) identifying as Black or African-American. 14 of the 24
persons in veteran households, 58.3%, reported having some kind of disability. The
most common disabilities among these were physical disabilities, which affected 8
persons (33.3%). 6 persons (25%) said they had substance abuse disorders, and 6
(25%) reported mental health issues. 5 (20.8%) reported chronic health conditions.
The four types of services that homeless veteran households sought the most were
housing (90.9%), dental care (45.4%), employment assistance (45.4%), and financial
assistance for housing (45.4%). Among the veteran households identified, only 18%
(4 households) were connected with VA healthcare benefits. None of the veteran
households were connected with VA pension or disability benefits, and 36.4% of the
homeless veteran households reported that they had no source of income.
Monmouth County - 11 veteran households were counted in the 2015 Point in
Time, 1 (8.3%) less than in 2014. While most were individuals (81.8%), 1 was part of
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a couple household, making it a total of 12 persons served in veteran households on
the night of the PIT. 54.5% of persons in veterans households were unsheltered,
while another 36.3% were staying in emergency shelters. In addition, there was 1
veteran household in transitional housing. Homeless persons in veteran households
in Monmouth County were all male (100%), and the most common racial
background was White (72.7%). Among those identifying as veterans, 1 homeless
veteran reported being a victim of domestic violence. 9 persons in veteran’s
households reported having a disability. The most common disabilities cited were
physical disabilities and chronic health conditions, with each being reported by
36.3% of persons in veteran households. With regards to income, only 9% of veteran
households were connected to VA pension or disability and 18% were connected to
VA healthcare benefits. 27% of veteran households were not connected to any
source of income or mainstream benefits.
Morris County - 12 veteran households were counted in the 2015 Point in Time, 2
(14.3%) less than in 2014. All of the veterans identified were individual adult-only
households. Among the veterans identified, 50% were staying in emergency shelter,
25% were in transitional housing, 8.3% were in safe haven and 16.6% were
unsheltered. The majority of homeless veterans were male (75%), while only 25% of
the veterans identified in 2015 were female (3 persons), this represented a 200%
increase in the number of female veterans as compared to the 2014 count. The
majority of veterans identified their racial background as White (58.3%), and the
remaining veterans identified as Black or African American (25%). Similar to results
in 2014, the majority of veterans identified were between the ages of 45-54. Among
those identifying as veterans, 1 homeless female veteran reported being a victim of
domestic violence. 10 veterans reported having a disability. The most common
disabilities cited were substance abuse disorders (66.6%) and mental health issues
(33.3%). With regards to income, only 8.3% (1 veteran) of veteran households were
connected to VA pension or disability and 25% (3 veterans) were connected to VA
healthcare benefits. 66.6% of veteran households were not connected to any source
of income and 16.6% were not receiving any non-cash mainstream benefits.
Ocean County – 7 veteran households were counted in the 2015 Point in Time.
This represents a 16.6% (1 veteran household) increase over the number of veteran
households identified in 2014. The majority of the veteran households (85.7%) were
adult-only household residing in emergency shelter, while 1 household (14.3%) was a
veteran family household with children under the age of 18 that was unsheltered.
The majority of homeless veterans were male (85.7%). While only 14.3% of the
veterans identified in 2015 were female (1 veteran), this represented a 100% increase
in the number of female veterans as compared to the 2014 count. The majority of
veterans identified their racial background as White (85.7%), and the remaining
veterans identified as Black or African American (14.3%). In contrast to 2014 results
where the majority of veterans were between the ages of 25 – 34, in 2015 the
majority of veterans identified were between the ages of 45-54. Among those
identifying as veterans, no veterans indicated they were victims of domestic violence.
4 veterans reported having a disability. The most common disabilities cited were
mental health issues (57.1%) and substance abuse disorders (28.5%). With regards to
income, only 14.3% (1 veteran) of veteran households were connected to VA
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pension or disability and 14.3% (1 veteran) were connected to VA healthcare
benefits. 14.3% were not receiving any non-cash mainstream benefits.
Passaic County – 8 homeless persons identified as veterans on the night of the
count, 2 more (33.3%) than in 2014. All were single, adult individuals. The largest
contingent of homeless veterans was found to be staying in emergency shelters
(62.5%). In addition, 3 veterans were unsheltered (37.5%). All of the veterans
experiencing homelessness in Passaic County were male, and the most common
racial background identified was Black or African American and White (3 veterans
each). 6 of the 8 veterans, 75%, reported having some kind of disability. In regards to
the most common disability, 5 veterans reported a mental health issue, substance
abuse disorder, physical disability and chronic health condition. The type of service
that homeless veterans sought the most was housing (62.5%). Only 1 veteran was
connected to VA healthcare benefits.
Salem County - There was 1 homeless individual veteran staying in a transitional
housing project in Salem County on the night of the point in time count, matching
the 1 veteran counted in 2014. The individual veteran that was counted was male and
identified his race as Black or African American. He was between 55 and 64 and did
not report having a disability. This veteran was not connected to veteran specific
benefits and was seeking emergency shelter and financial assistance for housing.
Somerset County - 162 homeless veterans were counted on the night of the count,
21 more (14.9%) than 2014. All were members of adult-only households. The largest
contingent of homeless veterans was staying in transitional housing (58%). In
addition, 68 were in emergency shelter (42%). There were 0 unsheltered veterans.
95.1% of all veterans experiencing homelessness in Somerset County were male, and
4.9% were female. The most common racial background identified among veterans
(58.6%) was Black or African-American, while (38.9%) identified as White. 6
homeless veterans reported being victims of domestic violence. 145 of the 162,
89.5%, reported having some kind of disability. The most common disabilities cited
among these were mental health issues (64.2%) and substance abuse issues (61.7%).
The top two types of services that homeless veterans sought were housing and
veterans services, which were both reported by 13% of veterans each. 1.2% of
veterans were connected with VA pensions while 29.6% were connected with VA
disability benefits. 75.3% of veterans were connected to VA healthcare benefits.
Southern New Jersey CoC’s - On the night of February 3rd, 2015, a total of
1,089 persons, in 846 households, were experiencing homelessness in the Southern
New Jersey CoC, which includes Camden, Gloucester, Cumberland and Cape May
counties.
144 veteran households were counted in the 2015 Point in Time. This represents
a 5.1% (7 veteran households) increase over the number of veteran households
identified in 2014. The majority of the veteran households (81.9%) were households
residing in transitional shelter, while 18 households (12.5%) were in emergency
shelter and 8 households (5.5%) were unsheltered. There was 1 veteran household
that was a family with children under the age of 18 composed of 5 persons. The
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remaining 143 households (99.3%) were adult only veteran households composed of
144 persons.
The majority of homeless veterans were male (95.8%). While only 4.2% of the
veterans identified in 2015 were female (6 veteran), this represented a 20% increase
in the number of female veterans as compared to the 2014 count. The majority of
veterans identified their racial background as Black or African American (56.9%),
with the remaining veterans identifying as White (34%) and Asian (0.7%). Similar to
2014, the majority of veterans were between the ages of 45 – 64. Among those
identifying as veterans, 8 veterans indicated they were victims of domestic violence.
118 veterans reported having a disability. The most common disabilities cited were
mental health issues (59.3%) and substance abuse disorders (54.2%). With regards to
income, only 4.2% (6 veterans) of veteran households were connected to VA
pension, 11.1% (16 veterans) were connected to VA disability benefits, and 45.1%
(65 veteran) were connected to VA healthcare benefits. 54.8% of veteran households
(79 households) reported no source of income and 23.6% of veteran households (34
households) reported they were not receiving any non-cash mainstream benefits.
Sussex County - There was 1 homeless individual veteran staying in an emergency
shelter in Sussex County on the night of the point in time count. The individual
veteran that was counted was male and identified his race as White. He was between
55 and 64 and did not report having a disability. This veteran was not connected to
veteran specific benefits and was seeking emergency shelter, emergency food and
transportation services.
Union County - 15 homeless individual adult veterans were identified on the night
of the count. This represents an increase of 2 veterans (15.4%) as compared to 2014.
The largest contingent of homeless veterans was found to be staying in emergency
shelter (86.7%). One veteran was unsheltered, representing a 50% decrease in the
number of unsheltered veterans as compared to 2014. Veterans experiencing
homelessness in Union County on the night of the count were all male and the most
common racial background identified among them (9 veterans, 60.0%) was Black or
African American, with 6 (40%) identified as White. 9 of the 15 veterans, 60%,
reported having some kind of disability. The two most common disabilities identified
were physical disabilities (46.7%) and substance abuse issues (26.7%). The three
types of services that homeless veterans sought the most were emergency shelter
(61.5%), housing (38.5%), and veterans’ services (15.4%). Only 1 homeless veteran
was connected with VA disability benefits (6.7%), and 2 homeless veterans were
connected with VA healthcare benefits (13.3%). 46.7% of homeless veterans
reported having no source of income, and 33.3% reported that they were not
connected with any kind of non-cash mainstream benefit.
Warren County - There were 0 homeless veterans counted in Warren County on
the night (January 27th, 2015) of the point in time count.
Robert E. McNulty, Sr.
Veteran Homelessness
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