Veteran Action Plan

 

San Antonio, with its deep military roots and significant veteran population, has a civic duty to lead in veteran support services. Despite their sacrifices, too many veterans in our community face systemic challenges: homelessness, mental health crises, unemployment, inadequate healthcare access, and economic insecurity. This memorandum outlines a city-level policy agenda designed to address these issues through targeted, compassionate, and community-based strategies.

 

Key Issues Facing Veterans:

 

Homelessness: Over 33,000 veterans are homeless on any given night, comprising 11% of the national homeless adult population.

 

Mental Health & Suicide: Seventeen veterans die by suicide daily; one in three Iraq/Afghanistan veterans suffers from PTSD or depression.

 

Unemployment: Post-9/11 veterans, especially younger and minority populations, face elevated unemployment and challenges transitioning to civilian careers.

 

Health Care Access: Nearly 10% of veterans report insufficient access to care, with rural veterans disproportionately affected.

 

Economic Insecurity: Over 1.2 million veterans live in poverty, with households of color facing higher instability.

 

Policy Recommendations:

 

Housing and Economic Stability:

• Expand veteran housing assistance programs including rent subsidies and transitional housing units.
• Prioritize city-owned housing developments for veteran occupancy. Establish a Veterans Housing Task Force to coordinate housing efforts across agencies.

 

Mental Health and Crisis Response:

• Deploy dedicated mental health outreach teams trained in veteran-specific issues.
• Fund crisis response units that include veterans and clinicians with military experience.
• Create peer-support networks and regular wellness events for veterans and their families.

 

Employment and Economic Empowerment:

• Launch veteran workforce development initiatives, including job training aligned with civilian applications of military skills.
• Partner with local businesses to create a Veteran Hiring Pledge and incentivize veteran entrepreneurship.
• Establish city-sponsored small business grants and mentorship programs tailored for veteran-owned enterprises.

 

Navigation and Access to Services:

• Appoint "Veteran Navigators" in every city council district to connect veterans with services and benefits.
• Transition the City’s Department of Military and Veterans Affairs from a liaison role to a community-centric service model, inspired by Bexar County’s approach.

 

Civic Engagement and Legacy:

• Create grants for community-led art and memorial projects that celebrate San Antonio's rich military history.
• Ensure an up-to-date civilian chain of command is maintained and accessible for all branches in every council office.

 

San Antonio can and must do more for those who have served. By implementing these policies, we not only honor our veterans but also build a stronger, more inclusive city. District 6, with its diverse and vibrant population, can lead the way in demonstrating how local government can be a catalyst for veteran empowerment and community resilience.