OPINION:
As we honor our veterans this month, we’re reminded of the promises made to those who served our country. Still, we’re also faced with a grim truth: Over 35,000 veterans in the United States are homeless today.
These brave men and women put everything on the line to protect our freedoms, yet they find themselves fighting to survive on the streets. It’s not just a statistic; it’s a national tragedy that should demand our attention and action.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development recently reported that more than 10,000 homeless veterans live in California alone, with nearly 4,000 in Los Angeles County. California, a state represented by Vice President Kamala Harris before she held national office, is home to five of the nation’s 10 largest homeless veteran populations.
Ms. Harris, like many of her Democratic colleagues, has spoken about this issue but has failed to deliver real solutions. As a senator from 2017 to 2021, veteran homelessness in California stayed above 10,000, reflecting a failure to address the root causes of the problem effectively.
In contrast, Donald Trump has a track record of prioritizing veterans’ needs. As president, Mr. Trump signed the VA Mission Act, an initiative to expand health care access for veterans and eliminate the red tape that often prevents them from getting the care they need.
This was a meaningful step toward dismantling bureaucratic barriers that kept veterans from accessing crucial services. The Trump administration expanded mental health services and developed programs that empowered veterans to get the help they deserved. Mr. Trump is committed to addressing veteran homelessness head-on through real solutions such as affordable housing, targeted job training and expanded mental health support.
Meanwhile, the Biden-Harris administration has allowed the Department of Veterans Affairs to reinstate over 1,500 fired employees, many of whom were dismissed for cause. This reinstatement is a setback that weakens accountability at the department, reintroducing staff who have already failed our veterans.
Veterans and taxpayers deserve a VA system that is accountable and prioritizes their care and needs, not one that rolls back reforms in favor of bureaucratic leniency. Every decision affecting a veteran’s well-being should be scrutinized, ensuring we’re putting veterans first, not protecting problematic practices or personnel.
Veterans also face added pressures from the economic downturn and inflation. The cost of essential items such as housing, food and fuel have skyrocketed, making it harder for struggling veterans to make ends meet. For those already on the edge, inflation has put stable housing even further out of reach. Rents alone have increased sharply, pushing veterans who were already vulnerable to homelessness into an impossible financial bind.
When combined with stagnant wages and fewer job opportunities, it’s no wonder so many veterans are losing their homes. Mr. Trump’s platform includes measures to curb inflation and lower costs, creating a sustainable environment where veterans and all Americans can afford necessities and avoid becoming homeless.
When we look at the facts, the stakes are clear: The eight states with the largest homeless veteran populations are largely under Democratic leadership, including California, New York and Oregon. These states have proved unwilling or unable to implement policies that meaningfully address the homelessness crisis. In contrast, the reforms Trump enacted during his time in office are practical solutions that tackle the root causes of veteran homelessness.
This Veterans’ Month, let’s move beyond words. We need leadership that prioritizes veterans with actions, not just words. As you head to the ballot box, remember that we have a choice: We can vote for a leader who has shown a commitment to ending veteran homelessness, lowering costs and ensuring our veterans have the respect and resources they’ve earned, or we can continue with leadership that has failed to deliver results.
As we honor our veterans, let’s give them the respect and support they deserve by casting a vote that makes a difference. Mr. Trump’s mission to end veteran homelessness isn’t just a campaign promise; it’s a continuation of proven policies.
We need to give him the chance to finish what he started. This Veterans’ Month, let’s stand together, honor the sacrifice and choose to give our veterans the respect, dignity and support they’ve earned. They fought for us. Now, let’s fight for them.
• Doug Collins is an America First Works senior adviser and a colonel in the Air Force Reserve. He represented Georgia’s 9th Congressional District from 2013 until 2021.
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