More Soldiers Face Homeless Homecomings Due To Economy, PTSD

More Soldiers Face Homeless Homecomings Due To Economy, PTSD
[VIDEO]
By Sarah Pusateri

When Stacie King finished up 10 years of service in the United States Navy, she was assured by her Navy TAP class instructor – a class that helps soldiers transition into civilian life and find jobs – that she would be a hot commodity for many employers.

“They were just like, ‘everyone wants to hire a veteran,’” recalls King. “Everyone wants to hire a veteran. You’re so marketable!”

King says for her, the exact opposite was true. She applied for dozens of jobs but got no response.

Finally, the single mother of three did manage to land a job at McDonald’s but quickly realized she wasn’t going to be making enough money to support her family. She packed up her children and belongings and moved to Florida to live with her brother’s family. Several months later, she still hadn’t found a job.

“I was on the brink. I was technically considered homeless because I was doubled up with my family, but even at that point, it wasn’t good. It wasn’t a good situation.”

She’s not alone. King’s family is among hundreds in Hillsborough County experiencing the threat of homelessness.

“With the current troop draw downs, we’re seeing an increase in request for services,” says Sara Romeo the Executive Director of Tampa Crossroads. “We have been really overwhelmed by the needs in the community.”
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