On average, one in four homeless people are veterans.

In September, the U.S. Government Accountability Office reported that there are as many as 196,000 homeless veterans in the country.

Poverty and homelessness among veterans isn’t a new problem. It’s been occurring since the U.S. began fighting wars. What’s shocking is the number of poverty-stricken veterans and the fact that the U.S. government doesn’t seem to be doing more to prevent this crisis.

It’s disappointing to know that these people put their lives on the line so this country can maintain its freedom, yet they hardly receive anything in return. When they arrive home after a tour of duty, veterans don’t expect to end up on the streets. If anything, they should look forward to the best possible treatment after what they’ve been through.

By the looks of it, their hard work often goes unnoticed.

There have probably been cases in which a person decided to re-enlist to escape poverty and bad situations. No one should re-enlist because they feel they have no other option. It isn’t good for them or our country.

The government should put more effort into making sure war veterans are taken care of when they return home. If there isn’t already, there should be counseling services and outreach programs in every state to help veterans find work and a place to live, if needed. If that isn’t possible, there should be a center in every region of the country designed to help veterans ease back into everyday life.

The government is currently revisiting the GI Bill. They should modify it so that the bill benefits all veterans, not just some as it did in the past. Offering veterans education and job opportunities when they return home can jump-start their careers and might possibly lower the number of homeless veterans, if not eliminate the problem.

The government also could set up a fund tailored to helping homeless veterans. People don’t necessarily have to make out-of-pocket donations. They can simply recycle bottles and donate the money to a fund for the needy and the government can distribute the money to people as they see fit.

People can also donate food and clothing or volunteer at a shelter to help veterans as well as anyone else in need.

There is a story of struggle behind every homeless person. Veterans, especially, shouldn’t have to battle poverty after they’ve returned from battling our enemies.

The government should be ashamed of how they’ve been handling the problem of impoverished veterans. They can’t possibly think that it’s acceptable to leave someone out in the cold after they’ve risked making the ultimate sacrifice. It’s time the government step up and treat veterans with the respect and honor they deserve.