Released Nationally on November 10, 1999

(Kansas City, MO) The annual International Union of Gospel Missions (IUGM) "Snapshot Survey" of the homeless has shown that approximately one in three men seeking shelter at America’s Rescue Missions identify themselves as veterans. Sixteen percent of veterans seeking shelter served in the Korean War, double from just eight percent one year ago. Of the 17,000 homeless who participated in the survey, 33 percent are homeless for the first time in their lives. The IUGM "Snapshot Survey" is the largest annual national survey of the homeless.

"Homelessness continues to be a crisis for our nation’s veterans," said Rev. Stephen E. Burger, executive director of IUGM. "This is a national tragedy. The shocking statistic this year is the dramatic increase of Korean War veterans at Rescue Missions. Similarly, the number of homeless between the ages of 46-65 is at a 10-year high, and a full one-third of homeless on the streets for the first time. What we are seeing is a new, older generation of homeless on the streets. And like years past, veterans remain a significant percentage of the homeless population."

"On Veteran’s Day, Rescue Missions will serve and honor tens of thousands of men and women who served our country, many overseas in combat," continued Burger. "We proudly reach out to help these important people every day, not just on holidays. Rescue Missions serve communities from coast-to-coast, and we urge people to seek out veterans who have fallen from lives of self-sufficiency and give something back to those who once risked everything for our freedom."

• 30 percent of male respondents are veterans. Veterans have accounted for at least 30 percent of homeless men in each of the last five years.

• Of veterans, 38 percent served in Vietnam, 16 percent in Korea and eight percent in the Persian Gulf. In 1998, only eight percent of homeless veterans surveyed served in Korea.

• Correlating with the dramatic increase in homeless veterans of the Korean War, the number of homeless between the ages of 46-65 is at a ten-year high -- 24 percent of all surveyed.

The International Union of Gospel Missions is an association of nearly 265 RESCUE missions across North America. Founded in 1913, IUGM members provide emergency food and shelter, youth and family services, rehabilitation programs for the addicted, education and job training programs and assistance to the elderly poor and at-risk youth. 

SPECIAL NOTE: IUGM Rescue Missions will be feeding more than 175,000 poor and homeless men, women and children nationwide during the inaugural Great Thanksgiving Banquet. The event, taking place at 200 Rescue Missions from coast-to-coast. Miss America 2000, Heather French, is serving as Honorary National Chairwoman and will attend the kickoff in New York City on Monday, Nov. 22.

• Data table for the 1999 Snap Shot Survey of the Homeless

• Table of Snap Shot Survey results: 1989 - 1998

• CONTACT: Phil Rydman, Director of Communications & Development Phone: 816-471-8020