2005 Summary Analysis of the South Carolina Homeless Population

Homeless Veterans

Number of Homeless Veterans in Count: When asked, "Are you a veteran?," 20 percent of those interviewed from a sample of homeless persons said yes (393 of 1,972). Veterans made up 21% of the sheltered homeless and 19% of the unsheltered homeless. Five percent (21 of 393) of the veterans were female, thus it is estimated that there are 58 female homeless veterans in South Carolina. The table below shows how these percentages are applied to the total number of adults in the count to estimate a total of 1,086 homeless veterans in South Carolina.

The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans estimates that approximately 33% of homeless men are veterans. Additionally, they estimate that veterans comprise only 23% of the general adult male population (National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, 2003). South Carolina has an active homeless veteran program which may help to account for perhaps a lower than expected percentage of homeless veterans. Also, the calculations herein are based on the total homeless population, not just the men. Clearly, more research is needed on this important topic to truly understand whether the numbers from the Homeless Count is representative of the Homeless Veterans population in South Carolina.

Table 4: Estimated Number of Homeless Veterans Based on the January 2005 Homeless Count

Homeless Veterans with One or More Impairments: Over 36% of the veterans interviewed reported that they had a mental, physical or other impairment that limits them. A similar percent reported they had a mental health problem for which they have received care in the past. An even higher percent (56%) reported having received care for an alcohol or drug problem. Twenty-two percent report having received care for both mental health and alcohol and drug problems (See Table 5 below).

Veteran versus Non-Veteran Impairment: In response to Question 19: "Do you have a mental, physical or other impairment that limits you?," veterans answered "yes" in slightly higher percentages than the non-veteran population (36.5 percent veterans vs. 32 percent non-veteran population).

Sheltered veterans versus unsheltered veterans: Sheltered veterans reported slightly higher rates of impairment than unsheltered veterans (38.5% versus 34.9%). The table below, indicates a total of 397 estimated homeless veterans with mental or physical impairments.

Table 5: Homeless Veterans with One or More Impairments:

* Number of Homeless Veterans (1,086) was multiplied by the percent to get the estimated number in the SC veteran homeless population.

Table 6: Sheltered versus Unsheltered Homeless Veterans with Physical or Mental Impairment, Based on the January 2005 Homeless Count

Veterans with Mental Health Problems: In response to Question 20, "Have you ever received care because of nervousness, depression, or mental health problems?," veterans answered "yes" in slightly lower percentages than did the non-veteran population (18.3 percent veterans vs. 21.7 percent non-veteran population). Those veterans in shelters answered yes slightly more often than those unsheltered (40 percent vs. 31 percent).

Veterans with Alcohol and Drug Problems: Veterans answered "yes" in higher percentages than did the overall population to Question 21 "Have you ever been treated for an alcohol or drug problem?" (56% veterans versus 44% overall population). Those veterans in shelters answered yes more often than those unsheltered (70% versus 42%).

Table 7: Homeless Veterans with Alcohol and Drug Problems Based on the January 2005 Homeless Count