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Women veterans go through a lot of unique vulnerabilities and mental health needs. When women veterans are discharged from their active duty, the primary issue they face is homelessness, along with gender-specific safety measures. It is crucial for the providers of housing for female veterans to take care of the important steps to accommodate the women in the best possible way. Every veteran is our hero. They sacrificed everything to keep us safe and secure. They deserve our love, care, and respect.

Did you know? More than half of the homeless women veterans were sexually abused and assaulted during their active duty. Most of them exhibit mental health disabilities. Thus, women veterans need separate housing facilities and gender-based accommodations. There are a lot of programs and services that address the needs of sexually abused veterans. Still, the unique requirements of the homeless women veterans are so affected that it is often overlooked or excluded from the programs.

Unique Vulnerability in Women

Women veterans are highly likely to experience military sexual trauma. Numerous studies have reported that 20 to 50% of female veterans report that they were sexually assaulted during service. Did you know? Military sexual trauma (MST)can be highly traumatic and potentially much more disabling than sexual assault in civilian life. Women who go through military sexual trauma are nine times more likely to exhibit symptoms of PTSD than women in the military who were not assaulted. Therefore, it is extremely crucial to ensure housing for women veterans because they are also diagnosed with PTSD at a higher rate than the women in the military who don’t have such a history.

Need of Housing for Female Veterans

Veterans with sexual assault-related PTSD are anxious and distrustful of people who remind them of the perpetrators. Even though this is true for any other woman who went through any sort of sexual trauma, this is particularly problematic for women veterans. Because of the demographics of the veteran population, these women get services in environments that include predominantly male veterans, even though the MST-related PTSD is the result of the male service member perpetrators. Housing for female veterans that fails to offer gender-specific safety accommodations could further harm the already vulnerable population. Homeless women veterans cite the overwhelmingly male environment and concern for their safety and privacy. This is what makes gender-specific housing for female veterans crucial.

Generalizations

When it comes to housing for female veterans, there is a common generalization that must be addressed. As we already mentioned, women veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma are more vulnerable to anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Also, they are much more likely to have severe mental illness like schizophrenia, along with comorbid substance abuse. Therefore, it is completely unfair to generalize the mental issues faced by female veterans with the traumatic events faced by civilians.

The Need for Safe & Secure Housing

Housing for female veterans should focus on the safety and security of the female veterans. They include segregated spaces for the females, adequate locks, and lighted exits. Apartment locations can also affect the perceptions of security and safety. For a woman veteran with MST-related PTSD, living in an apartment where she is feeling trapped or unable to escape might exacerbate symptoms of anxiety and PTSD. Placements near accessible exits and wider hallways can help in reducing PTSD-related stress. Women with MST-related PTSD might also benefit from being placed in units with a line of sight to the entrances and exits, along with monitoring security personnel of surveillance systems.

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The number of women serving in the U.S. Armed Forces has grown significantly over the past few decades. While women are an essential and growing part of our veteran population, they face disproportionate housing challenges when they return from service. Mothers, in particular, who make tremendous sacrifices when serving in the Armed Forces, may struggle with economic hardship and housing insecurity when they return. Compared to male veterans, female veterans are more likely to live in poverty, and female veterans are at greater risk of homelessness compared with non-veteran women. We also urgently need housing for disabled female veterans. The reasons behind female veterans’ increased risks for economic insecurity and homelessness include pre-existing economic or social disadvantages as well as service-related issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and sexual harassment or assault during their terms of service.

What does access to affordable housing for female veterans mean? 

Access to affordable housing offers female veterans and their families a secure and stable home as they transition from the military. Home and community-based supportive service programs can further help at-risk female veterans avoid homelessness, address their physical and mental health needs, and support their families as they become economically self-sufficient in civilian life.

Homelessness and housing insecurity among female veterans often present special housing or service needs and involve more extensive outreach compared with the same issues among their male peers. For various reasons, women who served in the military may be reluctant to seek assistance through veterans’ programs. Their physical safety and psychological well-being, as well as their family status, often require a different housing approach than those afforded by housing options created around the needs of male veterans. As a result, compared to male veterans, female veterans may have more limited access to appropriate housing and services, and service providers may find it challenging to reach the female veterans who need assistance.

The housing and service needs of female veterans

Affordable housing challenges and homelessness can be substantial problems for female veterans. However, some subgroups of female veterans face disproportionate housing challenges.

• African American female veterans: Research found that the risks of homelessness were greatest among younger female veterans, especially young African American women. Housing instability and high housing cost burdens are common among female veterans’ households. However, low-income female veterans and single female veterans with children are most likely to face these housing challenges, making housing for disabled female veteransan urgent necessity.
• Single veteran mothers: Single veteran mothers are a particularly vulnerable population. Many of these women return from military service and face significant challenges that put them at increased risk of homelessness. They often lack support in overcoming these obstacles to provide and care for their families as they transition into civilian life. Single veteran mothers constitute a significant and growing share of female veterans.
• Female veterans with low income: Furthermore, rates of housing cost burden were much higher among significantly- or extremely-low-income female-headed veteran households and those with children at home. Many low-income female veterans with children may need access to affordable housing options to help them transition into civilian employment and be better able to support their families. However, those struggling with military-connected injuries, the psychological impacts of trauma, or socioeconomic disadvantages may be better able to achieve self-sufficiency when affordable housing is paired with supportive services.

Lack of female-centric housing support facilities

Because the vast majority of veterans are men, many homeless and transitional housing providers serving veterans target their services to single adult men. The options for women, particularly women with children, are limited or nonexistent in many areas. For example, in 2011, over 60 percent of GPD programs were not able to serve female veterans with children due to constrained resources, or these programs limited the number of children in a family that they could accept.

Our changing veteran population, particularly low-income veterans and their families, will need a diverse set of supportive services, ranging from employment and financial education services to counseling and mental health programs. The ability to more efficiently integrate those services on-site would help ensure vulnerable veterans receive the assistance they need.

At Habitat4Veterans, we are dedicated to helping ensure safe, decent, and affordable housing for all veterans in America. Join us as a volunteer today!

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Women have served in the military for decades. Yet, they have often been overlooked and undervalued for their contributions to our country’s defense. From World War II to present-day conflicts, women have played an essential role in every military branch, and we must recognize and honor their service. Women are expected to become nearly 12% of all active-duty members of the defense forces by 2025. The rise in this participation foreshadows an increased necessity to address the unique needs of female veterans.

Transitioning from the military to civilian life isn’t easy, especially after you’ve spent your entire adult life in the military. However, affordable housing for female veterans and veterans services can help you every step of the way. From setting a budget and applying to college to saving for the future and buying a home, several resources are available to assist you as you get your finances in order and build a fulfilling life as a civilian.

Explore Veterans Support Services

After separating from the military, young veterans can take advantage of various veteran support services in their communities. There, former service members and their families can get help accessing and managing their VA benefits, applying for jobs, obtaining financial assistance, and learning vital financial skills for navigating life as a civilian. The Lacey Veterans Services Hub offers financial counseling, classes, and services. Vets can also connect with their local Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Lack of Recognition

One of the biggest challenges that female veterans face is a lack of recognition. Many people still hold the outdated belief that women are not fit for combat roles despite evidence to the contrary. Women have served in combat zones and have faced the same dangers and hardships as their male counterparts. We must acknowledge their bravery and sacrifice.

Lack of Support Services

Another challenge that women veterans face is a lack of support services like affordable housing for female veterans. Women veterans often have different needs than male veterans, particularly when it comes to healthcare. For example, women are more likely to experience military sexual trauma (MST), which can have long-lasting effects on their mental and physical health. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) must provide specialized care for female veterans that takes these unique needs into account.

Honoring Women Veterans

One way to recognize and honor our women veterans is to celebrate their achievements. Many women have made significant contributions to the military, such as Brigadier General Wilma L. Vaught, who served as a nurse during the Vietnam War and became the first woman to deploy with an Air Force bomber unit. Another example is Colonel Ruby Bradley, who served as a nurse during World War II and was captured by the Japanese, yet managed to save the lives of countless soldiers while in captivity.

Support an Organization

We can also honor our female veterans by supporting organizations dedicated to their well-being. Habitat4Veterans, for example, provides support and resources for female veterans and active duty personnel. We must recognize and honor the service of our women veterans. By acknowledging their contributions, providing specialized care, and celebrating their achievements, we can ensure they receive the respect and support they deserve.

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Veteran women go through innumerable challenges during and after the military. These include higher rates of bias, sexual harassment, and assault. Did you know? Veteran women are 7% more likely to experience unwanted sexual harassment in their service than men. Also, women veterans are more likely to be single parents than male veterans. Women veterans go through homelessness in bigger numbers than men.

Women veterans are four times more likely to become homeless than men. This is why it is crucial to have housing for female veterans. According to the Veterans Affairs, there will be 40,000 women who would identify as homeless in the USA by 2025. This is quite startling, considering the study conducted by the US Department of Housing & Urban Development in 2017. It was reported that roughly 4,000 women veterans experienced homelessness. If the predictions are proven accurate, this would reflect a 10% increase in women veterans homeless in just eight years.

Why are Women Veterans More Likely to Face Homelessness?

There are many reasons why women veterans are more likely to face homelessness. These include traumatic experiences throughout the lifespan, entering the military to escape the circumstances, gender-related discrimination, racism, and sexism. It is difficult for women veterans to transition from the military veteran status to get accustomed to civilian life. We believe that access to care is an additional contributing factor because less than 10% of women veterans use the VA’s healthcare services. The VA is a crucial resource that offers benefits for women veterans to address the challenges.

What Can Be Done to House More Women Veterans?

To solve the homelessness problem among women veterans, it is crucial that the women veterans get the support they need. Along with housing for women veterans, they must be encouraged to seek treatment at the VA. Also, they must get the necessary physical and mental healthcare they deserve. Women veterans must have access to VA housing and vocational rehabilitation programs and placement into jobs that will allow them the necessary support and live independently through vocational rehabilitation programs.

It is important to ensure that the VA healthcare system is a place where women feel comfortable and safe. Whatever it takes, we must start housing female veterans immediately and not stop until every female veteran gets the benefits that they have earned, and they are ensured a safe and welcoming environment. Regarding housing for female veterans, there are queries regarding the accessibility of VA services authorized for women veterans who were involuntarily discharged from the military before May 1974. The provision of healthcare services for veterans is established by certain criteria and discharge status.

It is crucial to contact the VA health care facility to determine the eligibility for the services. Women veterans who were involuntarily discharged might also be eligible for pension and compensation, vocal rehabilitation, employment, home loan guaranty, and burial benefits. If you are a female veteran with children, you can be eligible for monthly monetary benefits, vocational training, and medical care.

In Conclusion

If you are a woman veteran facing mental health issues, rest assured that you are not alone and you are not helpless, especially when we are at your service. At Habitats4Veterans, we are dedicated to offering all the possible help for housing for female veterans. Also, we urge landlords to opt in for the programs to offer housing facilities to the veterans at subsidized rent. We understand that women veterans have critical experiences and traumatic treatment needs. We are here to help all the veterans to have access to homes and eliminate homelessness.

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We don’t deny that it is crucial to discuss the impact of homelessness on all veterans. However, the experiences of women veterans differ a lot from their male counterparts. Being a woman and a veteran causes the population to be at higher risk of experiencing homelessness while also being ignored. In this blog, we will explore the importance of housing for female veterans while also addressing the unique needs of women veterans. Let us start with what we know about women veterans’ homelessness.

What We Know About Women Veterans Homelessness?

The number of girls, women, and gender-diverse individuals who experience homelessness is highly underestimated, especially for women veterans. Women veterans are four times more likely to experience homelessness than those who didn’t service in the military. Indeed, the transition from military to civilian life can negatively impact the mental health of the women veterans. Thus, it increases the chances of substance use, a known risk factor for homelessness. Did you know? 40% of the women veterans reported that it was difficult to adjust to the new life after retirement.

Also, women veterans experience a decline in income, a crucial factor for homelessness and poverty among this population. There is a strong connection between suicidal attempts/thoughts and homelessness. Women veterans tend to be more vulnerable, and homelessness can trigger suicidal thoughts among women veterans. This is where housing for female veterans comes in. Women and men veterans have different mental health issues. We don’t mean to say that one gender struggles more than the other; it is just that their struggles are different.

The Intersections of Veteran Status and Homelessness

Housing for female veterans is important because homelessness among women veterans is underestimated. The reason is how homelessness among women is defined and how others respond to their housing needs. To understand how veteran status affects the chances of becoming homeless, it is important to understand how the factors intersect.

It is a well-established fact that violence is a significant cause of homelessness, and sexual misconduct in the CAF against women is common. Did you know? 28% of the women in the Regular Force experience sexualized or discriminatory behavior compared to 13% of the men before their release. The trauma associated with these experiences can last for a long time, even beyond the release of a woman from the military. Thus, they need unique support to live a better life after service.

In Conclusion

It is easier to ignore the plights of others and turn away. However, by addressing the needs and concerns of the vulnerable group, we can prevent and end women veterans’ homelessness. The women veterans fought for our country, and it is our duty to fight for their safety, health, and well-being and ensure housing for female veterans. While serving in the military, the place where you are stationed becomes your home. While transitioning to civilian life, finding a place called home can be challenging, especially for veterans. Surprisingly, housing for female veterans is more difficult than it is to be expected.

Civilian life can be challenging for women than their male counterparts. Some have children to raise as single parents, some deal with PTSD, while others deal with military sexual trauma. This puts women veterans at a higher risk of becoming homeless. We understand your pain. If you are a female veteran seeking assistance to deal with homelessness, we are here to help you in the best possible way. Get in touch with us today!

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The number of women in the military – active duty and veteran populations – proliferates. They face unusual challenges due to their military experiences and, for many, multiple roles as breadwinners, parents, and spouses. Often their return to civilian life is complicated. Female veterans have a four times greater risk of homelessness than their civilian counterparts. This also means the need for housing for female veterans is highly urgent.

The growing issue of homelessness amongst female veterans

Female veterans do not always self-identify. The female veterans often did not regard themselves as “veterans,” which prevented them from availing services they were eligible for based on their military service. Women saw themselves in different roles as wives, mothers, and the survivors of addiction and violence. However, their lack network with their peers meant they were less likely to be aware of and have access to the benefits and resources they earned based on their time in the military.

The trauma faced by homeless female veterans

Homeless female veterans have significant histories of trauma. Research also suggests that 81-93% of female veterans have been exposed to some trauma, significantly higher rates than the civilian population. The significant histories of trauma included: childhood abuse, combat-related stress, domestic violence, military sexual trauma, and the lack of social support and stable housing.

Exposure to trauma impacts almost all aspects of daily functioning. Repeated trauma experiences significantly affect female veterans’ physical and mental health, their coping skills, and ability to access support and maintain stable employment and housing. For most women, the combination of violence in their adulthood and childhood trauma resulted in struggles with addiction that again contributed to their homelessness.

Female veterans need female-centric housing support programs

The demand for self-reliance among women in the military and the pressure to prove that one is solid and capable creates a culture where seeking the services is seen as a sign of more weakness, further contributing to the risk of homelessness. Women look for programs that offer “culturally competent” service provision. They look for services designed with an understanding and ability to meet the extraordinary needs of women who are not just veterans but also experiencing homelessness.

Current Initiatives for Women Veterans

The Dept. of Veterans Affairs (VA) continues to make women Veterans one of its top priorities, through the increasing quality and accessibility to its services, through their outreach and education campaigns that exclusively target women Veterans, and through the creation of research agendas and additional surveys that focus on the needs of women Veterans. The women Veterans population is growing, and more women are looking to use the benefits and services that VA provides, giving even more importance to VA to anticipate and address the challenges that women Veterans are currently facing. The most recent cohort of women Veterans, those who have served in Afghanistan and Iraq, are using VA benefits at historically high rates. VA has initiatives in several areas to ensure that the quantity of services and care for women Veterans is at its best.

Concluding Remarks

Although not officially recognized as active members of the armed forces until 1901, the inclusion of women in the military dates back to the Revolutionary War. Each year, the number of women veterans grow steadily due to the increasing number and proportion of women entering and leaving military service. But housing for female veterans is still a dream far away. Most women Veterans possess traits valued in military service: steady nerves, sound judgment, courage, tenacity, patriotism, and sacrifice. Women bring vital attributes to the workforce, and they are one of the fastest-growing populations among Veterans. While women Veterans comprise about 9.8 percent of the overall Veteran population (2.1 million out of 21.4 million), women comprise 17.9 percent of the Post-9/11 only period of service (533,050 of 2,985,460). Women veterans have been invisible heroines from the Revolutionary War to the present. They are examples to future generations that securing our country’s liberty and freedom are everyone’s responsibility – and we here at VA are committed to serving all Veterans equitably.

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The surging number of female veterans throughout the United States has created new challenges for organizations serving veterans and people experiencing homelessness. Despite successful efforts by organizations both government and private to reduce the overall homeless population by almost half in the last decade, the national figure of female veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless is increasing. It’s projected to jump 9, from 36,443 in 2015 to 39,686 by 2025. Without affordable housing for female veterans, it is impossible to provide them with stability and safety.

According to the Dept. of Housing & Urban Development (HUD), approximately 11 percent of the adult homeless population in the United States are veterans. Of that population, the percentage of women has risen from 3 percent in 2006 to 8 percent in 2021. This means there are more than 4,000 homeless female veterans in the United States, most of whom are between the ages of 25 and 44.

Reasons why female veterans become homeless 

There are several reasons for the increase in female homeless veterans.

• Service: One of the main factors is the increasing number of women serving in the military. Women comprise about 17% of the active-duty military and 20% of recruits. As more women serve, the number of female veterans increases, and so does the likelihood of homelessness among that population.
• Post-retirement: Another factor contributing to the rise in female homeless veterans is women’s unique challenges when they leave the military. For example, women veterans are more likely to be single parents and have less support from family and friends than their male counterparts. This can make it difficult for them to find stable housing and employment after leaving the military.
• Women vets with family & children suffer more: Few services are available exclusively for women and especially for women veterans with children. Women Veterans sometimes experience an apalling lack of trust in others and in dealing with the support agencies. For this reason, obtaining contact details at the first meeting is critical to make follow-up possible.
• Trauma during service: Women veterans are more likely to have experienced sexual trauma or harassment in the military. This can lead to severe mental health issues like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, making it challenging to transition back into civilian life.
• Lack of affordable housing: The lack of affordable housing for female veterans also significantly contributes to the rise in female homeless veterans. As rental prices continue to increase nationwide, many veterans, especially those with low incomes or disabilities, cannot afford housing. This is particularly challenging for female veterans who may have children or other dependents to care for.

Although numerous organizations are working diligently to reach out to homeless veterans of both genders, the unique needs of female homeless veterans are just now beginning to be addressed. While female veterans face many of the same combat-related dangers and stressors as male veterans, the problems female veterans face post-retirement are more severe. Veteran service organizations tasked with reducing homelessness are scrambling to adjust their approach to female veterans.

Are you a woman veteran? Please connect with us to share your military experience and transition to civilian life and help us find you a new home.

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Women compose about 9% of veterans experiencing homelessness, and they are also about 9% of the entire veteran population in the U.S. Veteran females are more than twice highly likely to experience homelessness as non-veteran women. Therefore, housing for female veterans is not just a need but a serious necessity.

Female veterans are often an overlooked population

Veterans constitute more than a tenth of people facing housing insecurity. Among them, about 20,690 veterans rely on shelters or transitional housing. The remaining 15,366 are unsheltered, living in cars or on the streets.

Unlike their male counterparts, more than one-third of veteran women who are homeless were subjected to military sexual trauma or MST. They also have only lower rates of substance abuse and mental health concernscompared to their male peers, according to government reports.

Family activity is also a big differentiator. Veteran women experiencing homelessness are highly likely to be the most active part of a family unit too. The average family size is often 3.6 members.

Women are also expected to become 12% of all active-duty armed forces members by 2025. The rise in participation foreshadows an increased necessity to address the unique needs of all female veterans.

How the VA counts unsheltered veterans:

• The VA counts its sheltered veterans primarily using the Homelessness Screening Clinical
• Reminder (HSCR).
• This reporting mechanism found that veterans screened for substance abuse and mental.
• Health clinics were at higher risk for housing instability.
• They also found that white males aged 51-60 were a majority of positive screens.
• The biggest issue with using this process as a reporting/screening mechanism for homeless veterans is that 82% of female veterans do not use the VA for health care services.
• The HSCR screening reached over 3 million veterans. There are more that 21 million veterans in the United States, with 2.2 million female veterans.

VA Programs to End Female Veteran Homelessness 

Women Veterans can face several challenges when returning to civilian life, including raising children independently, dealing with the psychological after-effects of events like military or sexual trauma, or employment and other housing barriers. Without intervention, these and other issues can together put women Veterans at a greater risk of homelessness.

In response, VA has built the country’s largest integrated network of homeless assistance programs.

VA also strives to address even the minutest and individualized needs of women throughout its specialized programs for homeless Veterans. Every VA Medical Center and regional benefits office also has a dedicated advocate to ensure women Veterans get the health care benefits they’ve earned through service.

In FY 2022, over 199,000 homeless female veterans were served by the VHA homeless programs.

Since 2010, almost 986,000 Veterans and their family members have been permanently and rapidly housed, or prevented from homelessness through HUD’s targeted housing vouchers and VA’s homelessness programs.

VA Mental Health for Women Veterans

VA recognizes that women Veterans experience their military service differently than men and can deal with unique mental health conditions. Because of this, VA provides specialized services to help women work through situations such as PTSD or Military Sexual Trauma.

Center For Female Veterans

Since 1994, the Center for female veterans has persistently monitored and coordinated VA benefits, programs, and the services for female Veterans. The center also advocates for the rights of women Veterans and raises awareness about the urgent responsibility to treat women Veterans with utmost dignity and respect. Women Veterans can also call the Women Veterans hotline number—1-885-VA-WOMEN (855-829-6636)—for answers to questions about VA services and resources.

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Women veterans face a lot of challenges while returning to civilian life. This includes raising children, dealing with the psychological after-effects of events like military or sexual trauma, employment issues, homelessness, and PTSD. These and other issues put women at higher risk of homelessness without intervention. Housing for female veterans can help them in dealing with it. VA has created the country’s largest integrated network of homeless assistance programs. VA also strives to address the individual needs of women throughout the special programs for homeless female veterans. In addition, every VA Medical Center and the regional benefits office has a dedicated advocate that ensures women veterans get the best healthcare and benefits they have earned through service.

Things You Ought to Know about Housing for Female Veterans

Homeless women veterans have unique vulnerability and significant mental health needs. Thus, it is crucial for the housing for female veterans to include gender-specific measures. The providers of supportive housing for veterans can take the necessary steps to accommodate the women they serve. This includes offering separate housing facilities or areas for women. Did you know? More than half of all homeless women are sexually assaulted in the military service, and most of them exhibit mental health disabilities due to that. Thus, it offers a strong legal basis to need gender-based accommodations.

There has been significant progress in addressing the needs of female veterans who were sexually assaulted in the military service. However, the unique needs of women are still often overlooked. Due to this oversight, the permanent supportive housing for veterans is affected because the number of male veterans significantly outweighs the number of female veterans. At present, there are no minimum standards or safeguards for women veterans in the housing for female veterans. Most of the facilities don’t offer gender-specific accommodations. Thus, this failure persists despite the history of sexual assaults among this population and the small number of veteran-only housing. Without the basic gender-specific safeguards, permanent supportive housing facilities can worsen the mental health of homeless women veterans and expose them to harm further.

Apart from that, women veterans who were sexually assaulted during military service, a lot of them exhibit post-traumatic stress and mental health problems. There are a lot of programs and services that are currently established to address the requirements of female veterans. But the requirements of homeless veterans so affected are still overlooked or executed from these programs. With housing for female veterans, there has been the introduction of minimum standards to serve homeless women veterans. In addition, most of the facilities are considering offering gender-specific accommodations. However, homeless female veterans are susceptible to further harm because the supportive housing programs are dedicated mostly towards men.

Many veterans who would benefit from such services stay away and forgo appropriate mental and physical healthcare, affordable rent, and other social services that define a housing for female veterans because of the lack of proper gender-specific accommodations. This problem requires a shift in perspective. Organizations that offer truly supportive housing for women veterans acknowledge that a significant number of homeless women have gone through military sexual trauma and reduce stressors that can exacerbate related conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The government-set has minimum gender-specific standards for the developers that plan to include women tenants in supportive housing. This would help eliminate homelessness among female veterans. At Habitat4Veterans, we are on a mission to eliminate homelessness among veterans. If you are a female veteran who is looking for support with housing for female veterans, get in touch with us today!

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Women veterans go through a lot of challenges while returning to civilian life. This includes raising children independently, dealing with psychological after-effects like trauma during the service period, sexual trauma, or employment and housing challenges. These issues can put women veterans at higher risk of homelessness without intervention. Therefore, VA has built the country’s largest integrated network of homeless assistance programs. The best part is Veterans Affairs also strives to take care of the individualized needs of women through specialized programs for homeless veterans.

There is also a VA medical center and regional benefits office with a dedicated advocate that ensures women veterans get the right healthcare and benefits they have earned throughout the service. In the following section of the blog, we will talk about the different VA services for women.

Did you know? In 2022, more than 1,90,000 female veterans were served through the programs for housing for female veterans. Since 2010, more than 986,000 veteran families were served with permanent housing solutions. They have been rapidly rehoused or prevented from falling into homelessness with HUD’s targeted housing vouchers and VA’s homelessness programs.

The Supportive Services for Veteran Families 

The SSVF program awards are granted to private non-profit organizations and their consumer cooperatives, offering prevention and rapid re-housing services to low-income veterans and their families residing in or shifting to permanent housing.

Regarding housing for female veterans, the SSVF continuously serves a high number of female veterans every year. For example, in 2022, the SSVF assisted more than 71,300 veterans; among those, more than 10,000 were female veterans.

In the same year, SSVF helped to keep families together by serving 17,600 children in more than 9,200 households with children. SSVF grants are released throughout the year. So you can check often to see when the funds are released.

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development and Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing have collaborated to offer subsidized housing for female veterans. They also provide VA-supported case management. With HUD-VASH, a housing subsidy is paid to the landlord directly by the public housing authority on behalf of the homeless veteran. The veteran only has to pay the difference between the actual rent and the subsidized amount by the program. The HUD-VASH program is a special program that offers support to vulnerable veterans, women veterans, those who recently returned from combat zones, and veterans with disabilities.

Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Program

The Grant and Per Diem Program funds community-based agencies offering transitional housing or service centers for homeless veterans. The program provides homeless veterans, including women veterans with dependent children, with transitional housing resources needed to facilitate treatment and stabilize them clinically or economically. It also offers immediate housing support services. Through the program, every year, the VA offers grants that might fund up to 65% of the project for constructing, acquiring, and renovating facilities or purchasing vans to provide outreach and services to homeless veterans. Did you know? In FY 2022, the GDP grantees served nearly 24,000 veterans; of those served, 6% were women veterans.

Women Veterans Health Care Program

Regarding housing for female veterans, the Women Veterans Health Care Program has offered care for women veterans in a safe environment that aims to raise the standard of women’s healthcare. By focusing on primary care and health issues unique to women, the Veterans Affairs seek to offer treatment that helps keep our women veterans healthy and able to live rewarding life.

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While serving in the military, the home becomes where you are stationed. Every individual gets used to a certain life. Therefore, while transitioning to civilian life, it becomes difficult to find a place called home. This is especially true for female veterans. A lot of female veterans have to go through a multitude of experiences while serving the nation. And surprisingly enough, it is difficult to find housing for female veterans.

There is no denying the fact that Civilian life can be quite challenging for women compared to men. Some have children to raise, while others deal with military sexual trauma and PTSD. These are some of the issues that women go through after their discharge. Therefore, it puts women at a higher risk of being homeless. This is why it is crucial to have programs dedicated to housing for female veterans. In the following sections of the blog, we will discuss the currently available programs for housing for female veterans.

Women Veterans Housing Resources – Housing For Female Veterans

The following are the programs dedicated to housing for female veterans.

1. The Grant per Diem Program

As per the funding, the VA’s Homeless Providers Grant & Per Diem Program is provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care for the Homeless Veterans Programs. It is offered to specific agencies within the community to support and provide services to female veterans who need housing. Also, the program helps female veterans in raising their earnings and skills.

2. The Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program by the Department of Veterans Affairs

The consumer co-operatives and non-profit organizations are awarded grants from the SSVF to offer services to support low-income veterans. This is to help the families living in or trying to transition to much more permanent housing. Those who receive the grants offer many services to help with much more stable housing.

3. Housing Choice Vouchers

This is a collaborative effort between the Veterans Affairs and the Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) to help female veterans and their families to stop being homeless and getting into permanent housing with the Housing Choice Voucher Program. Therefore, it permits the veterans to rent from private owners.

Some Final Thoughts

There is no denying that women veterans can face many challenges when they have to return to civilian life. As mentioned, these include raising children, dealing with psychological after-effects like sexual trauma or military, active duty accidents, and employment and housing barriers. Unfortunately, without intervention, these other issues put women veterans at a higher risk of homelessness. As a result, the Veterans Affairs have created the largest integrated network of homeless assistance programs in the country to deal with the housing issue for female veterans.

The best thing about this is VA also ensures to address the individual requirements of women through the specialized programs for homeless veterans. In addition, dedicated advocates at every VA Medical Center and Regional Benefits Office ensure that women veterans get the necessary healthcare and benefits they have earned through the service.

We talked about the SSVF program in this blog. Regarding housing for female veterans, the SSVF continues to serve a high proportion of women veterans. In 2022, SSVF assisted 72,000 veterans; of those served, almost 10,000 were women veterans. We also mentioned the HUD-VASH collaboration. Did you know? In 2022, HUD-VASH assisted more than 91,200 veterans; of those served, more than 11,400 were women veterans.

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How often do you imagine a female officer when there is a discussion about brave fellow citizens in uniform? This can explain why a subject like homelessness among female veterans is a relatively new issue due to the typical traditional assumption that the military was made for men. However, statistics reveal women consists about 9% of veterans experience homelessness. Also, about 9% of the general veteran population in the United States Veteran women are twice as likely as non-veteran women to experience homelessness. This makes it very important for people, the government, and organizations to find housing for female veterans.

The grim situation of female veteran homelessness

A significant barrier to maintain housing, receiving mental health, or advancing one’s career, is the unmet basic needs like financial stability, adequate childcare, a stable source of income and employment, and a support system. Besides, women serve with so few fellow women in the service their transition can feel solitary and lacking peer support. Transitioning to life as a civilian, leaving behind the armed forces, and finding a home can be extremely hard for some veterans. Surprisingly women veterans’ housing is often more complex than expected.

Women veterans face greater challenges

Women veterans can face diverse challenges when returning to civilian life. This includes the challenges of raising children on their own, dealing with the finances, debt burdens, psychological after-effects of events such as military or sexual trauma, or employment and housing barriers. Without intervention, these and other issues can put women Veterans at greater risk of homelessness.
Unlike their male counterparts, more than one-third of veteran women who experience homelessness were subjected to military sexual trauma. They also have lower rates of substance abuse and mental health concerns than their male peers, the USICH report states. Thus, housing for female veterans is a necessity we as a society can no longer ignore. Family activity is also a differentiator. Veteran women experiencing homelessness are likely to be an active part of a family unit. The average family size is 3.6 members. Women are expected to become 12% of all active-duty armed forces members by 2025. The rise in participation foreshadows an increased necessity to address female veterans’ unique and distinct needs.

Women veterans legislation

There has been a heavy focus on the issues of women veterans in the 116th Congress—resulting in almost 11 congressional hearings and the passage of several important pieces of legislation on women veterans’ healthcare services and infrastructure, health, suicide prevention, and the creation of an Office on Women’s Health within the Veterans Health Administration to supervise the health programs for veteran women’s as well as counseling and legal services.

Ending sexual assault and harassment

It is essential to note that one in every four women veterans report having experienced sexual Harassment within the VA. This troubling problem will require the total commitment of department leaders to solve. As a result, the VA broadened its campaign to End Harassment into ‘Stand Up to Stop Harassment Now’ by engaging other people to be aware too! Besides, it introduced a virtual bystander intervention training tool in all of its facilities to educate staff and providers on how to intervene if they ever witness inappropriate behaviors. The VA also launched its White Ribbon VA campaign, designed to eliminate sexual assault and Harassment within VA healthcare settings.
If you are a woman veteran looking for a permanent home, connect with us at info@habitat4veterans.us today!

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