Helping Women Veterans, Ending Veteran Homelessness

According to a recent report from HUD and the Department of Veterans Affairs, while homeless veterans are not likely to be women, female veterans are more likely than female non-veterans to become homeless.

Women veterans can face unique challenges when leaving the service, in addition to those challenges faced by male veterans, that can be a factor in their becoming homeless. Contributing factors to instability include being a single parent, or military sexual trauma, which is experienced by one in five female service members.

As a part of its commitment to ending veteran homelessness, the VA has special resources for women veterans. These resources address the physical and mental health needs of women veterans and their families. VA also works with HUD to provide housing to all veterans through special housing vouchers just for them.

If you or someone you love is a veteran who is homeless or at risk of homelessness, there are resources available to you. Visit the VA homelessness resources website or access to VA services 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans hotline, toll-free, at 1-877-4AID VET (1-877-424-3838).

Taking Steps to End Veteran Homelessness

For many Americans, military service is a means of gaining skills and improving future job prospects while serving and protecting our nation. But for about 67,500 U.S. military veterans who are homeless, that better future has yet to materialize. Those veterans who are homeless are more likely to have mental health issues, traumatic brain injury or experienced military sexual trauma, meaning that helping these veterans transition out of homelessness will require more than just providing shelter.

Recognizing the dire need for better housing and services for homeless and at-risk veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs recently launched an ambitious effort to end veteran homelessness by 2015. Veterans nationwide are eligible for comprehensive, coordinated access to health care, housing, employment, education, job counseling and training, and justice system assistance and benefits. Homeless veterans and those at risk of homelessness can gain access to VA services 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans hotline, toll-free, at 1-877-4AID VET (1-877-424-3838).

All veterans and their families are eligible for VA benefits and services. If you are a veteran in need, or if there is a veteran in your life who needs help, please call the hotline or visit the VA homelessness resources website. Every veteran should have the opportunity to live in a safe, decent, affordable home.