Slipping through the cracks: Supporting the veterans that are left behind

By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com

Though the Department of Veterans Affairs was created to support veterans by supplying various health, education and disability benefits, not all veterans have received what they’re owed.

An analysis by the U.S. Government Accountability Office found that “from 2010 through 2020 Non-Hispanic Black veterans had the lowest approval ratings among all racial and ethnic groups—61 percent versus 75 percent for White veterans.”

Not only are approval ratings low, but Black veterans also face the reality of being overlooked by some of their caregivers at the VA.

“I do believe that for the most part, if veterans get connected to the services they need at the VA, they can properly return to society and get the help they need. However, as someone who used to work at the VA, some people do fall through the cracks,” said Jamaal Simmons, a Baltimore-based veterans therapist. “I’ve seen some great people at the VA and I’ve seen some unpleasant people at the VA, just like in any hospital. It depends on who you get.”

Studies show that Black veterans are disproportionately affected by homelessness compared to their White counterparts.

Despite Black veterans only making up 12.6 percent – 2.3 million – of U.S. veterans, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development found that on one night in January 2023, 31.3 percent of veterans experiencing homelessness were Black.

The VA has acknowledged this reality in recent years.

“Our mission at the VA is to provide Veterans with the health care and benefits that they’ve earned. But we know that we have not always kept that promise as a nation — especially for Black Veterans,” said Terrence Hayes, a VA press secretary. “Black veterans have served, sacrificed and endured untold hardships around the world so that we can enjoy our freedom today. We are fully committed to doing everything we can to serve them in the future.”

Hayes detailed how the VA is making steps forward to ensure Black veterans are not left behind at the VA any longer.

“Moving forward, we will continue to work to identify any differences in VA health care and benefits, understand them, and eliminate them,” said Hayes. “We will stop at nothing to earn the trust of Black veterans, day by day, and we’re going to do that by getting them the health care and benefits that they deserve.”

According to Hayes, when it comes to addressing Black veteran homelessness the VA is making sure they meet Black veterans where they are.

“By conducting outreach in settings where people experiencing homelessness commonly live, the VA is able to effectively identify and connect Black veterans experiencing homelessness to resources,” said Hayes. “To date, Black veterans represented 37.8 percent of the veterans served in VA homeless programs in Fiscal Year (FY) 2024. Additionally, of the 38,873 homeless veterans who have been permanently housed as part of VA’s FY 2024 Homelessness Goals through July 31, 39.6 percent were Black.”

An Army National Guard and Army veteran recently spoke with the AFRO about what the VA could do to help ensure that no veterans are left behind.

“The VA needs to make sure they’re supporting veterans by calling, emailing and following up with them. Asking ‘are there any added resources we can give you that you need and we can support you in?’” said Azaher Elamin, 27. “As a veteran, you want to make sure you have access to every benefit that is available to you. Having a representative who talks with you regularly and helps advocate for you would be the biggest support.”

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