Richard, a homeless Veteran from West Virginia, who was last seen at the Washington D.C. VA Medical Center was denied safe shelter after experiencing a schizophrenic episode. He arrived at the Washington DC VA Medical Center seeking treatment, and was told by Emergency Room staff to go to a local shelter.

When a family member intervened on his behalf, it was only then that the Medical staff queued him to see an Emergency Room doctor during which time he threatened emergency room staff with harm, in addition to expressing to the doctor that he was unable to sleep in a shelter due to the paranoia brought on by (well-documented) schizophrenia.

Hours later…and he was not admitted, not given medication, not given safe shelter, but instead redirected to a local community shelter in Washington D.C. --a city he is unfamiliar with.

The family member was told by Social Workers representing the VA Medical Center the following day, during an update call, that he “choose” to go to a shelter and his whereabouts were unknown.

He is still missing.

This situation is not isolated to Richard, as there have been growing reports across the country that speak to the ongoing abuse against our Homeless Veterans by the VA Medical Center.

Why do homeless Veterans not have safe places to go inside VA Hospitals? e.g. Veteran Shelters

Why are homeless Veterans redirected to local community shelters without follow-up from VA Staff?

Why are local community shelters taking on financial responsibility for sheltering homeless Veterans and not the VA?

Veteran Healthcare is the responsibility of the VA Medical Center, and YES this also includes the well being of homeless Veterans. Homeless Veterans are the most vulnerable, as the majority suffer from psychiatric conditions that keep them on the streets, posing a danger to themselves and others.

Providing homeless Veterans bus tokens to local shelters, instead of sheltering them and providing consistent VA resources for rehabilitation, places them in immediate danger and KEEPS them on the streets exposing them to disease, addiction, abuse, and petty crime.

Please sign this petition to bring awareness to Congress and support our Veterans!

Homeless Veterans: "It's not a choice when there's no other option"

A photo of Richard during his military service and five years after separation from active duty.