(The Heart Sq.) – Washington state is ranked the fifth-worst state within the nation for army retirees to reside in, in accordance with a WalletHub report.
The private finance web site checked out all 50 states and the District of Columbia throughout 29 key metrics, together with veterans per capita, the variety of Veterans Administration (VA) well being services, and job alternatives for veterans.
“Washington is the fifth worst state for army retirees,” mentioned WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzalez by way of electronic mail. “A few of the issues that had a direct affect on the rating had been the shortage of job alternatives for veterans and the shortage of housing affordability.”
Washington ranked no. 50 in veteran job alternatives, thirty fourth in veteran owned-businesses, and forty second in housing affordability.
She went on to notice, “Washington additionally has one of many lowest share of veterans not receiving SNAP, in addition to a big share of homeless veterans.”
The federal Supplemental Diet Help Program offers food-purchasing help for low- and no-income folks.
WalletHub ranked Washington forty sixth in share of homeless veterans.
“The state ranks significantly low by way of healthcare as properly,” Gonzalez added. “That is because of the small variety of VA well being services per variety of veterans, in addition to the small variety of federal, state, native and personal hospitals and physicians per capita, and the poor high quality of VA hospitals.”
The Evergreen State ranked No. 47 by way of the variety of VA well being services per variety of veterans.
Oregon, Washington’s neighbor to the south, did even worse, coming in at No. 48. Idaho, Washington’s japanese neighbor, got here in close to the center of the pack at No. 24.
Washington’s low rating on WalletHub’s checklist is one thing might be considered as one thing of a shock, contemplating the state has the sixth largest lively responsibility army presence within the nation, with greater than 69,000 army personnel and one other 90,000 dependents and 19,000 reservists, in accordance with the Washington State Division of Commerce.
The state is residence to a number of army installations, together with Joint Base Lewis McChord, Naval Base Kitsap, Naval Air Station Whidbey, Naval Air Station Everett, Fairchild Air Base, and the Nationwide Guard at Camp Murray.
The ten greatest states for army retirees:
1. Virginia
2. Florida
3. Minnesota
4. Maryland
5. New Hampshire
6. Alabama
7. South Carolina
8. Maine
9. South Dakota
10. Connecticut
The ten worst states and state designates for army retirees:
51. Vermont
50. Nevada
49. District of Columbia
48. Oregon
47. Washington
46. New Mexico
45. Mississippi
44. California
43. Rhode Island
42. Iowa