A NATIONAL SUMMIT ON WOMEN VETERAN HOMELESSNESS - IVMF

A NATIONAL SUMMIT ON
WOMEN VETERAN HOMELESSNESS

A LEADERSHIP DIALOGUE

Chicago—May 2013

Prepared by:
Institute for Veterans and Military Families, Syracuse University

ABOUT THE INSTITUTE FOR VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES
As the first institute of its kind in the nation, the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University
(IVMF) leverages the intellectual, programmatic and human capital resources of higher education in support of the
post-service life course of the nation’s veterans and military families. The IVMF focuses on developing impactful
programming, cultivating actionable research, conducting policy analysis and providing technical assistance
positioned to address the social, economic and public policy challenges facing the veterans’ community. The
IVMF team approaches this mission as a collaboration, forging enduring partnerships with government, private
industry, institutions of higher education, philanthropic organizations and stakeholders committed to supporting
transitioning service members, veterans and their families.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
The Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University (IVMF) acknowledges the contributions of its
featured presenters, Vince Kane, M.S.W., Director, VA National Center for Homelessness Among Veterans; Alison
Hamilton Ph.D., M.P.H., VA HSR&D Center of Excellence for the Study of Healthcare Provider Behavior; and Rachel
Natelson, J.D., Prior to her time at Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN), Rachel developed and presided over
the Veterans and Service members Project at the Urban Justice Center in New York City, and served as a staff
attorney at the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty. We especially recognize the contributions of
the experts in research, policy and practice, as well as the women veterans with lived homelessness experience
whose insights and recommendations provide the core of this report. We also gratefully acknowledge the expert
facilitation of our session coordinators: John Rio and Pat Tucker (Advocates for Human Potential, Inc.); Jocene
Henderson (Veterans Outreach Center of Rochester, N.Y.); and Mirza Tihic, Nicole LaCorte-Klein and Rosalinda
Maury (IVMF). We also appreciate the editorial support and meeting summary provided by Susan Hills Rose of
Advocates for Human Potential, Inc. 

This publication can be accessed electronically through the following URL: http: //www.vets.syr.edu/.
For additional copies of this document, please call the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at 315.443.0141.
This document should be cited as: Shaheen, Gary & McDonough, James (2013). National Summit on Women Veteran
Homelessness: A Leadership Dialogue. Syracuse, New York: Institute for Veterans and Military Families 2013.

A NATIONAL SUMMIT ON
WOMEN VETERAN HOMELESSNESS

A LEADERSHIP DIALOGUE

Prepared by:
Institute for Veterans and Military Families, Syracuse University

2 A National Summit on Women Veteran Homelessness: A Leadership Dialogue

Message from the Director “These veterans who have
sacrificed so much in the
DEAR COLLEAGUES: service of their country deserve
I am pleased to offer you the summary of the National Summit on Women Veteran to have a safe and affordable
Homelessness, held in Chicago on May 2-3, 2013 and hosted by the Institute for Veterans and place to live, a civilian job at
Military Families at Syracuse University (IVMF). a living wage, and the support
needed to recover from mental
Over these two days, some of the nation’s leading experts on homelessness among veterans, health disabilities or sexual
especially among women veterans, applied their expertise to help us understand the roots of trauma.”
women veteran homelessness so that it can be prevented; the policy, programs, and services
that women veterans need so that they can escape homelessness; and the gaps that better —Mike Haynie, Ph.D.
research, policy and practice can fill so that no woman veteran or her family need ever fear Executive Director, Founder
becoming or remaining homeless. Institute for Veterans and
Military Families
These veterans who have sacrificed so much in the service of their country deserve to have
a safe and affordable place to live, a civilian job at a living wage and the support needed
to recover from mental health disabilities or sexual trauma. To seek new knowledge and
opportunities to make this a reality, researchers, policy experts, program practice experts,
foundation representatives, national veterans’ technical assistance center leaders and women
veterans with the lived experience of homelessness worked closely together throughout the
summit.

This summit summary is only the first in a series of events and initiatives that the IVMF
will roll out over the remainder of the year. Others include White Papers on Preventing and
Addressing Women Veteran Homelessness, a bi-monthly Report on Veteran Homelessness,
and development of a blueprint for ending women veteran homelessness to accompany our
National Veterans Strategy.

In conclusion, to all of the national experts who worked with us at the summit, and especially
to participants who are veterans, thank you for your service and hard work, and thank you for
joining us in the effort to end women veteran homelessness.

J. Michael Haynie, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Founder
Institute for Veterans and Military Families
Syracuse University

A National Summit on Women Veteran Homelessness: A Leadership Dialogue 3



Introduction

The transition from military to civilian many federal and state agencies seek to Although the risk of
life is discontinuous and oftentimes address these issues through systems and homelessness among
difficult. Research suggests that this services that may not always be effectively veterans can affect veterans
transition – when coupled with the social, coordinated and communicated. As a result, of all genders and crosses
wellness and economic challenges facing individual and community needs are often racial and socio-economic
some veterans – creates a circumstance addressed by multiple service sectors in categories, women veterans
where the likelihood that the service fragmented or overlapping ways. may face some unique
member will become homeless, either in the challenges
short or long term, is increased. The Obama Administration established
the national goal of ending veteran
The causes of homelessness are complex homelessness by 2015. Veterans are
and multiple. A slide into homelessness is overrepresented in the homeless population
the result of a number of economic and and a recent study found that approximately
social factors that impact an individual 14 percent of adult males and 2 percent of
or family at a personal level. There are adult females were veterans (The National
many pathways to homelessness for this Center on Homelessness among Veterans,
heterogeneous population; in most cases, it is 2011). Nearly 21,000 female veterans
the intersection of structural factors, personal were homeless or at risk of homelessness
histories and individual characteristics that between October 2011 and September 2012,
lead to homelessness. Addressing the root with California, Texas, Florida, New York
causes of homelessness for each individual and Georgia accounting for 40 percent of
is necessary to improve circumstances these female veterans (Veterans Integrated
and foster stability in that person’s life. Services Network, 2012). The percentage
These challenges are compounded when of women among sheltered veterans has

A National Summit on Women Veteran Homelessness: A Leadership Dialogue 5

The National Summit on increased by 2.3 percentage points since from these sessions that will help us to
Women Veteran Homelessness 2009 (U.S. Department of Housing and understand the complex conditions that
brought together noted Urban Development, 2012). Overall, women can result in women veteran homelessness,
researchers, policy and veterans are two to four times more likely isolate the key areas where action to
practice experts, and women to become homeless as compared to non- remediate the issues is required and
veterans with the lived veteran women (Gamache, 2003). create comprehensive and sustainable
experience of homelessness solutions that reduce the risk of women
in a day and a half of Although the risk of homelessness veteran homelessness and help those
facilitated dialogue sessions. among veterans can affect veterans of who are already homeless to achieve full
all genders and crosses racial and socio- reintegration into their communities.
economic categories, women veterans may
face some unique challenges. For example, a This report begins with a summary
recent report on focus groups with homeless of presentations delivered by three
women veterans found that more than half experts who provided background on the
of those participating experienced military demographics of homeless veterans, key
sexual trauma, which can be among programs at the U.S. Department of Veterans
the precipitators of their homelessness Affairs (VA), a research perspective on the
(Washington 2010). To better understand challenges homeless women veterans face
the reasons women veterans may be at risk and litigation and advocacy as tools for
for homelessness and determine the most change. The core of the report, called the
effective interventions, the IVMF developed Summit Dialogue Sessions, summarizes
and implemented a National Summit on three roundtable discussions centered
Women Veteran Homelessness in Chicago, on the following themes: 1) pathways
Illinois on May 2-3, 2013. to homelessness for women veterans; 2)
strategies for exiting homelessness; and 3)
SUMMIT OVERVIEW approaches to preventing women veterans
from falling into homelessness.
The National Summit on Women Veteran
Homelessness brought together noted The report then turns attention to the
researchers, policy and practice experts, and list of actionable tasks which grew out of
women veterans with the lived experience the roundtables, as well as two facilitated
of homelessness in a day and a half of “fishbowls” in which subgroups of Summit
facilitated dialogue sessions. Our purpose participants explored specific issues related
was threefold. First, we wanted to call to policy, practice and research. Together,
attention to the growing national problem these offer not only a record of the work
of homelessness among women veterans. accomplished at the Summit, but also a
Second, we wanted to better understand the pathway to future research, policy and
unique challenges facing women veterans program initiatives that hold the hope and
who have lost their homes or are at risk potential for preventing and ending women
of homelessness. Finally, we sought to veteran homelessness.
gather information and ideas for solutions
to prevent and end homelessness among Appendices to this report include brief
women veterans. biographies of the three presenters, a list of
all summit participants and their affiliations
Rich information was obtained and the summit agenda.

6 A National Summit on Women Veteran Homelessness: A Leadership Dialogue

Presentations

DEMOGRAPHICS OF THE POPULATION Women veterans currently account for 13 Kane observed that, according
Vince Kane, M.S.W., Director, VA National percent of the tenancy in the Departments to 2012 data supplied by
Center for Homelessness Among Veterans of Housing and Urban Development and the annual Point-in-Time
Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program Count conducted by the
Kane observed that, according to 2012 (HUD-VASH),which offers veterans permanent Department of Housing and
data supplied by the annual Point-in-Time housing in apartments scattered throughout Urban Development (HUD),
Count conducted by the Department of communities and uses a Housing First model there are 62,000 homeless
Housing and Urban Development (HUD), (Tsemberis and Eisenberg, 2000). Of these veterans, half of whom live in
there are 62,000 homeless veterans, half of 2,865 women, 43 percent have custody of four states: California, Texas,
whom live in four states: California, Texas, their children. Just over 13 percent of the Florida and New York.
Florida and New York. While homelessness veterans who use the VA’s newest homeless
among veterans can exist in any rural or veterans program, the Supportive Services for —Vince Kane, M.S.W., Director, VA
urban community, the fact that specific Veteran Families (SSVF), are women veterans. National Center for Homelessness Among
states encounter more than others suggests Veterans
opportunities for further research. Focus Observations on Addressing the Challenges
areas include why these concentrations exist of Women Veterans 7
and in what ways strategies for preventing Kane observed that within the VA, the focus
and ending veteran homelessness in these is on moving veterans with behavioral
high-density states may differ from the health problems from street to home with
strategies that work best in states with lower wraparound services. Many female veterans
homelessness rates. have moved toward programs like HUD-
VASH. Many have dependents and want to
Data from the homeless registry of the be with their families in safe permanent
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) shows housing. Some women receive help from
that approximately 21,000 female veterans the VA’s SSVF program, which prevents
are homeless or at risk of homelessness. homelessness for veterans at imminent risk
Of the 200,000 veterans who seek VA assis- of losing their housing and also provides a
tance on health care and housing, about 10 rapid rehousing service when veterans do fall
percent are veterans of recent wars. Of these into homelessness, quickly returning them
26,736 recent veterans approximately 13% to permanent housing. It provides support of
or 3,456 are women veterans. A younger less duration and intensity than HUD-VASH.
generation of veterans may call for a differ-
ent strategy than previous generations and Kane emphasized the importance of
it is important to listen carefully to their forging partnerships at every level –
needs and desires. especially the community level – to solve the
problem of women veteran homelessness. He
Top mental health issues among veterans said it was critical to think of how services are
include suicide, depressive disorders, delivered to women veterans and ensure that
alcohol dependence and abuse, other all services are trauma informed. In addition
drug abuse and anxiety. For those who to addressing trauma among the veterans
have experienced combat, however, post- themselves, providers should be aware of the
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) tops the list. impact of trauma on family members. Finally,
Among women veterans specifically, mental Kane recommended that we implement data-
health issues include major depression, driven, evidence-based solutions together to
PTSD and anxiety. Substance abuse is less get to zero homeless veterans by the end of
common among women veterans than 2015.
among the general population of veterans.

A National Summit on Women Veteran Homelessness: A Leadership Dialogue

While military service can THE RESEARCH PERSPECTIVE A sixth path, criminal justice system
provide strengths and Alison Hamilton Ph.D., M.P.H., VA HSR&D involvement, is a subsidiary factor for
resilience skills that help Center of Excellence for the Study of women but is significant for some of them.
women veterans to survive Healthcare Provider Behavior, Los Angeles,
and to thrive in civilian society California While military service can provide
and the work place, some strengths and resilience skills that help
learned skills could actually Hamilton provided insights into the causes women veterans to survive and to thrive
be a hindrance to successful and effects of women veteran homelessness in civilian society and the workplace,
civilian transition, especially based upon empirical research. The some learned skills could actually be a
for those who have disabilities research indicates that there are a number hindrance to successful civilian transition,
or have experienced trauma. of factors that precipitate women veteran especially for those who have disabilities
homelessness and suggests that if these or have experienced trauma. For example,
—Alison Hamilton Ph.D., M.P.H., VA root causes can be addressed, we will have the survival instinct honed in the military
HSR&D Center of Excellence for the Study greater success in preventing homelessness seems to keep some women from seeking
of Healthcare Provider Behavior, Los or its reoccurrence among women veterans. help, making them more self-reliant
Angeles, California without the tools and supports they need to
Researchers find that women veterans strengthen recovery. Hamilton noted that
8 can face a “web of vulnerability” created by it is important to screen people at the right
many contributing factors. Many women time to identify risk factors. This should
have experienced more than one of these occur while they are in the military as well
factors. A recent research project funded as post-discharge.
by the Department of Health and Human
Services Office on Women’s Health and In addition to the “survival instinct,”
the VA Women Veterans Health Strategic contextual factors that promote
Health Care Group explored the pathways homelessness include a lack of social
to homelessness among a sample of women support and resources, a sense of isolation,
veterans. The objectives of the study were to: a pronounced sense of independence and
1) characterize risk factors for homelessness barriers to care. These contextual factors
among women veterans; 2) describe how may also reinforce mental health and
risk factors interplay and accumulate over substance abuse problems, leading to
women veterans’ life course to result in recurring episodes of homelessness.
homelessness; and 3) highlight implications
for prevention and services. Collectively, these multiple, interacting
roots and contextual factors form a “web
The research team conducted three focus of vulnerability” that is a target for action.
groups that were held in Los Angeles with a Multiple points along the pathways to
total of 29 homeless women veterans. The homelessness represent critical junctures
women described five predominant “roots” for VA and community-based organizations
(precipitating experiences) that contributed to engage in prevention or intervention
to their pathways toward homelessness. efforts on behalf of women veterans.
These included: Considering the complex challenges that
women veterans described, solutions to
1. Childhood adversity homelessness should consider and address
multiple risk factors. All service providers
2. Trauma or substance abuse in military should offer trauma-informed care that
service acknowledges the prevalence of trauma
among women veterans and should
3. Post-military abuse, adversity and/or incorporate holistic responses that can
relationship termination contribute to healing and recovery.

4. Post-military mental health, substance
abuse and/or medical problems

5. Unemployment

A National Summit on Women Veteran Homelessness: A Leadership Dialogue

SALIENT ISSUES RELATED TO primary records proving MST but accept While all of these challenges
LITIGATION AND PUBLIC ADVOCACY statements from family and friends. They are significant, Natelson
Rachel Natelson, J.D. Prior to her time at also look at changes in work performance noted that some progress
Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN), on the assumption that a sudden drop in has been made on policy
Rachel developed and presided over the performance might support the claim; issues. Clearly, the VA and
Veterans and Service members Project at the however, they often fail to realize that other federal agencies are
Urban Justice Center in New York City, and some women throw themselves into work beginning to address these
served as a staff attorney at the National in response to an experience of MST and issues.
Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty. productivity actually could improve rather
than deteriorate. —Rachel Natelson, J.D.
Natelson highlighted intersecting factors
that contribute to women veteran Discharge status can also be a barrier
homelessness and discussed their to civilian reintegration. After reporting
implications for litigation and public assault, women may experience retaliation.
advocacy on behalf of these veterans. They could be charged with an offense,
She observed that, based on VA disability possibly one that bars them from accessing
compensation data, there is a strong link disability compensation. Many women
between income support and housing are concerned that use of medical health
stability. The common denominator in services might have adverse consequences
applications from women tends to be for their careers (for example, when filling
military sexual trauma (MST). To access out security clearance documents), which
disability compensation, women usually may delay treatment. Other challenges
need to prove they served in the military. for women veterans include difficulty
While there is a presumption of service translating their skills into nonmilitary
in certain circumstances that expedites arenas and a lack of sensitivity to their needs
timely processing of claims, there is no on the part of courts for veterans. While all
such presumption for MST. Natelson of these challenges are significant, Natelson
observed that many of those responsible noted that some progress has been made
for processing claims are not well- on policy issues. Clearly, the VA and other
informed about MST. Most of them do federal agencies are beginning to address
recognize that the person may not have these issues.

A National Summit on Women Veteran Homelessness: A Leadership Dialogue 9

The Summit Dialogue Sessions

Summit participants noted Summit participants were charged are often slow to seek help, fearing that
that women veterans may not with discussing a series of questions admitting a need for help will adversely
be able to take advantage of in a roundtable format, using a affect their record and employability.
opportunities even though they “World Café” method to identify barriers and
have the skills and aptitudes facilitators to preventing and ending women In summary, a key element in
required. Many need help veteran homelessness (Brown and Isaacs, understanding homelessness risk factors is
navigating complex systems. 2005). These active, robust conversations were exploring the challenges of veteran to civilian
followed by two panel discussions (“Fishbowl transition. When skills learned for military
10 Sessions”) that identified actionable research, survival need to be “unlearned” for civilian
policy and program strategies. The results of survival or when transferable skills are not
the conversations are reported here following well-supported in women veteran transition,
the seven key questions posed to the Summit the risk of homelessness may increase.
participants.
WHAT SERVICES DO WOMEN
FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE, VETERANS NEED TO PREVENT AND
WHAT FACTORS CONTRIBUTE TO HELP THEM EXIT HOMELESSNESS?
HOMELESSNESS AMONG WOMEN Summit participants highlighted several gaps
VETERANS? in available services, including:

Women veterans may experience a lack of • A lack of services for people who are not
self-esteem, often connected with trauma literally homeless
or domestic violence. They may also make
poor choices in their attempts to stay off the • A lack of services specifically for women
street, such as accepting accommodations
that are unsafe. Another salient factor that • Lack of services for women who do not
can contribute to homelessness is reluctance have an honorable discharge (sometimes
to seek help from a male-dominated system. because of use of drugs in response to
Women veterans may also experience a lack trauma or stress)
of a support system upon return that can
contribute to their risk of homelessness. • Lack of services for women who have not
experienced trauma, but have other issues
As they transition from a structured
military environment to civilian life, women • Lack of programs to address the needs of
may lose their sense of a “mission” that mothers with children
enables them to move forward. The challenge
of restructuring their lives can lead to poor • Lack of access to legal services
decision-making about relationships, jobs
and other life priorities. The consequences • A shortage of accessible services in rural
can be increased risk for homelessness. areas
Women may lack the ability to transfer their
skills to civilian work opportunities. Some • Lack of affordable care in urban areas.
experience difficulty transitioning from a
“team” approach to work requirements to Women veterans who are homeless have
functioning as an individual. Their pride an array of complex needs and conditions
and independence are strengths, but can that may not be well-understood by service
also work against them. Women veterans providers. Participants highlighted several
shortcomings among service systems
intended to serve women veterans or a total
lack of availability to them. These include:

A National Summit on Women Veteran Homelessness: A Leadership Dialogue

• Insufficient help transitioning from the ONCE WOMEN DO BECOME HOMELESS, Women veterans who are homeless face a
military WHAT SERVICES DO THEY SEEK AND number of personal challenges that could be
WHAT ARE THEIR EXPERIENCES WITH barriers to seeking and following through on
• Inadequate outreach and engagement for THOSE SERVICES? WHAT HELPS THEM assistance. Participants widely acknowledged
women veterans TO GET BACK ON THEIR FEET? that the military experience can help women
veterans develop the skills, attitudes and
• Poor publicity for existing programs Accessing safe and stable housing was aptitudes needed for success in the civilian
identified as a primary need. Along with sector. However, some of the skills needed
• Marketing literature that does not show housing, women veterans and their families for military success may not translate well
or refer to women, leading women to need access to clothing and health care. They to civilian environments, especially when
assume they are not eligible seek employment, but to accept employment trauma and homelessness are concerned.
they often need help accessing transportation For example, military training that promotes
• Failure to screen for veteran status and child care (with extended hours to individual strength to overcome adversity
(especially for women) support job stability). Some women need may translate in the civilian sector as
training to help them take the next step, reluctance to admit a need and seek help.
• Lack of well-trained staff prepared to serve including education on financial literacy. Rank and pride of accomplishment in the
women veterans and refer them to the military become, in the civilian world, a fear
proper sources of help within the VA Women veterans who are homeless of harming job credentials by admitting a
face a number of personal challenges problem. When women transition from the
• Lack of understanding of the types of military, more needs to be done to help them
services women veterans want and need that could be barriers to seeking understand how the skills and knowledge
and following through on assistance. they acquired in military life can become
• Lack of trauma-informed services sources of strength for success in the civilian
Participants widely acknowledged sector. Programs can also help individuals
• A lack of follow-along support, including that the military experience can help identify transferable skills as part of their
access to peer mentors. women veterans develop the skills, assessment process.
attitudes and aptitudes needed for
Summit participants also noted that While personal factors can be barriers to
women veterans may not be able to take success in the civilian sector. accessing help, participants also addressed
advantage of opportunities even though a number of factors at the program level (as
they have the skills and aptitudes required. Roundtable participants noted that noted above). More consideration should
Many need help navigating complex systems. many women veterans need help addressing be given to veteran programs with distinct
Some may be prepared to accept work, but underlying problems such as trauma, women-only services. To make programs
they may encounter potential employers substance abuse and mental health issues. more welcoming to women, Summit
who perceive veterans as “damaged goods” Non-pharmaceutical strategies for managing participants encouraged both the VA and
and need education to recognize their skills trauma, such as yoga, biofeedback and local provider agencies to recruit and deploy
and potential contributions. More must be guided imagery, can help many women more female staff, especially women veterans
done to reduce stigma and misconception on veterans exit homelessness. These dimensions as counselors. Since programs have confusing
the part of potential employers. Participants of healing that help women veterans take and differing eligibility standards, women
also stressed the importance of making advantage of housing and work opportunities need trained staff or navigators who can help
programs attractive to women veterans and should be combined with peer support from them find services for which they are eligible
participants. For example, when agencies other women veterans. Noting that women so they do not waste time and effort applying
provide services for children, it helps to veterans with criminal justice backgrounds for programs for which they are ineligible –
engage the mothers (examples include will need accessible legal advice, participants a process that only increases frustration and
day care, children’s educational and play acknowledged that exiting homelessness discouragement.
activities and health care). cannot be accomplished by only providing a
clean and safe place to live. If ending women Employment is both a challenge to be
A recurring theme was that programs do veteran homelessness is to be achieved, then addressed and an element in the successful
not adequately understand the particular comprehensive and well-integrated services transition to community life. Key points
services that women veterans need. More for health, wellness, education and training included:
work also needs to be done to disseminate must be provided.
what we know about women veteran-
friendly programs that produce tangible and
positive outcomes so that other providers can
emulate these practices.

A National Summit on Women Veteran Homelessness: A Leadership Dialogue 11

• Transitional jobs at the VA or elsewhere • The intersection of health, wellness be age-appropriate; complicating factors
can provide a slow entry ramp to and homelessness prevention, access to and responses might be very different for a
sustained employment and help build affordable health care and the need to veteran in her early 20s than for a veteran in
skills and confidence. link housing, employment and family her 60s.
support services to health care prompted
• Once a veteran is placed in a job, it is some participants to suggest that more All services and supports should be
helpful to have someone to intervene if could be done to understand the “health designed to ensure that women feel safe and
there are problems before the person is home” model, including its implications comfortable using them. Examples include
fired. for serving women veterans. a women-only day at the clinic and women-
only “Stand-Downs.” Participants stressed
• The pathway out of homelessness is • Peer supports should be consistently the importance of having a single point of
not only a job, but a job with growth available from the point of veteran contact that a woman veteran can trust.
opportunity. engagement through post-housing and For example, places such as Community
employment stability. Resource and Referral Centers (CRRC) should
• Women veterans may need help planning have at least one person who is prepared to
and accessing training and education that Although most of the discussion connect women veterans with the full range
can lead to careers. addressed actions that can occur of services for which they are eligible. This
following military service, many type of support is an important homelessness
Lack of coordination and communication prevention tool.
among the various veteran-serving participants felt that women
organizations can be a barrier to care. veterans needed better screening Although most of the discussion
Participants pointed to insufficient linkage and assistance during their military addressed actions that can occur following
among resources, which can lead to careers, especially in identifying and military service, many participants felt that
unhelpful referrals. Overall, participants women veterans needed better screening
reported service systems that are not addressing underlying trauma. and assistance during their military careers,
well-coordinated, not in tune with women especially in identifying and addressing
veteran needs and fail to address the root • Comprehensive assessments are needed. underlying trauma. For those who have
causes and effects of homelessness, providing Women veterans who are homeless may experienced trauma, help in managing
instead what one person described as “way present upon intake as needing shelter “triggers” is needed. Some participants
too many band aids.” or a home, but a comprehensive health, suggested that shaping a more thoughtful,
wellness, employment and support longer-term transition back to civilian life
WHAT WOULD HELP TO PREVENT systems assessment should also be would integrate career and life planning
HOMELESSNESS AMONG WOMEN completed. throughout military service.
VETERANS?
Roundtable discussants were asked to think Prevention means quick and early After military separation, women veterans
about and share their recommendations for intervention. Those interventions should need improved services that help with
improving services. They suggested solutions be applied when women are at the “couch housing and employment for those without
to several issues: surfing” stage, before they are literally behavioral health issues as well as those
homeless. Citing the successes and future who have them. Increased and improved
• To address the need for better information potential of the VA’s SSVF national initiative, community-based assessment and services
to help women veterans make more participants offered that a key prevention supported by the VA would help. Recognizing
informed choices, women veterans could factor is providing rapid re-housing and the need to address diversity, respondents
benefit from a clear, easily understood timely, practical help. Even before a suggested that creating more cultural
explanation of what services they are person becomes homeless, veteran-serving competency for providers serving women
eligible for — online, interactive and organizations should proactively provide veterans would make those programs more
tailored to specific situations. assessment and targeted assistance for welcoming to women veterans of diverse
those who are criminal justice-involved, cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Such
• Better publicity for available programs including help with employment as part of training should also include an appreciation
will help women access services. the overall plan to help in the transition to for military culture.
community life. All interventions should
• To reduce services fragmentation, women
veterans should get more consistent help
navigating the VA and other services.

12 A National Summit on Women Veteran Homelessness: A Leadership Dialogue

From Dialogue to Action: Recommendations for Next Steps

Discussion roundtables and “fishbowl”
discussions generated lists of research,
policy and practice action steps that
should be considered to prevent and end
women veteran homelessness.

THE RESEARCH ACTION AGENDA need? How would a model using this most effective? How can peer roles
consumer-driven orientation compare be clearly distinguished from clinical
1. What are the risk factors for women? to other models? support roles?
What are the demographics? Current
data is needed to better understand these 8. How do we capture information on 13. What are the primary and secondary
issues. “experience-based” approaches that factors that precipitate homelessness
do not necessarily meet standards for among women veterans?
2. Why do women enter the military? Does evidence-based approaches?
it meet their expectations? What do they 14. Does service in the military mitigate
experience afterward? (Long-term study 9. What alternative approaches can help the possibility of homelessness for
is needed.) to address issues such as PTSD and veterans who enter the military with
anxiety? Are pharmaceutical approaches significant risk factors?
3. What is the timeline for contemporary overused? How do such alternative
female veterans to become homeless? approaches relate to homelessness? Do 15. What changes in the VA would improve
How does discharge status affect they help or hinder stability? access to health care for women
homelessness? What is the relationship veterans? How many women veterans
between the military experience and 10. How can more and better randomized seek care there and how many return?
homelessness? Would women who controlled studies of outcomes for
become homeless be homeless without female veterans who have experienced 16. What can we learn from women who
military service? Does it make it more or homelessness be designed to help exit homelessness about what helped
less likely? inform policies and practices? them and what did not? Qualitative
research on resilience can inform
4. How well is the TAP program achieving 11. What are the trends that need to prevention initiatives.
its objectives, particularly in early be examined concerning use of
identification of homelessness risk and in technology-based interventions to reach 17. How will recovery supports be funded
addressing trauma, especially MST? out to women veterans? as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is
implemented? What information based
5. What does effective prevention at the 12. What forms of peer support are most upon trends and themes would help
community level look like? What public effective for women veterans? In what states address veteran recovery as they
education is needed? How can we get types of environments are each of these craft policies?
better data on utilization of services by
women veterans?

6. What delivery methods for tools,
resources and supports work best to help
women veterans maintain wellness in
civilian life? Can research show that this
makes a difference?

7. What are the necessary elements of
a flexible service delivery model that
allows women to select the services they

A National Summit on Women Veteran Homelessness: A Leadership Dialogue 13

Women veterans are often 18. How well are women with HUD-VASH 5. Better availability and access to free or
slow to seek help, fearing that vouchers doing as compared to their low-cost clinics for legal information
admitting a need for help will male counterparts? and a clearinghouse of these resources
adversely affect their record by locality would be helpful.
and employability. 19. What is the relationship between
employment and housing (e.g., in 6. Housing options for women veterans
HUD-VASH)? What employment who have experienced abuse should
services/approaches are most helpful? include single-sex housing for those
Where should they be located? What who need this for safety.
is the cost-benefit for investing in
employment? How are mainstream 7. Better military-civilian transition
services responding to homeless services, perhaps beginning well before
veterans? What helps people retain separation from service, can help create
employment once they have it? a safety net of resources and services
that could prevent homelessness.
20. How can researchers learn about and
contribute to surveys planned by states 8. Incorporating trauma-informed services
or agencies that could provide useful and supports into women veteran
information on women veterans? homelessness services with trained
staff and/or strong linkages to partner
THE POLICY AND PRACTICE ACTION resources should be considered by both
AGENDA policy and practice sectors.
1. Service organizations need to collect
9. Programs should hire, train and deploy
better data on what is working. This more women veterans as program staff.
information is not captured through
Homeless Management Information 10. Greater attention should be given
Systems (HMIS) at the level needed. to training staff to prepare them to
provide women-specific services and
2. What can the VA tell local programs supports for veterans.
from its own data about how to assist
veterans and prevent homelessness? 11. Identify and implement the cultural
How can evidence-based data be shared competencies required to serve
that will identify programs and program women veterans. This includes helping
components that are most effective? community providers develop a better
understanding of military culture.
3. We need to better respond to the Practice guidelines may help to inform
adverse events that occur during service policies.
service, when they occur. This includes,
but is not limited to, MST. 12. Improve collaboration between the
VA and local providers. This includes
4. More should be done to improve rapid promoting the philosophy of trauma-
access to services. One method might informed care as well as improved
be to introduce a presumption of access to mental health care. It also
eligibility for VA services in favor of the includes blending funding streams to
individual seeking services rather than enable local agencies to be effective.
lengthy conflict/case management and
prolonged eligibility assessments. 13. Programs should consider the needs of
a wide range of veterans: LGBT, those
with disabilities, etc.

14 A National Summit on Women Veteran Homelessness: A Leadership Dialogue

14. Make women veterans more visible in 19. Programs that intend to end women Data from the homeless
marketing literature for services so they veteran homelessness through registry of the Department of
feel welcome and included. employment also need to focus on the Veterans Affairs (VA) shows
quality of jobs being provided. Jobs that approximately 21,000
15. Hear the voices of the women veterans should pay a living wage and have female veterans have been
who are being served. What do they growth potential. touched by the VA’s homeless
consider helpful? What makes them programs. Of the 200,000
feel welcome? 20. Helping women veterans with families veterans who seek VA
obtain, retain and advance in jobs also assistance on health care and
16. Offer preventive services to people means accommodating child care issues housing, about 10 percent are
without behavioral health issues. while they are working or attending veterans of recent wars and
Be prepared to offer referrals and training. about 13 percent are women.
“takeaway information.”

17. Map out the mandated legislative and
policy requirements for eligibility and
remove barriers to service wherever
possible.

18. Remove barriers to housing, including
allowing a service animal when
needed.

A National Summit on Women Veteran Homelessness: A Leadership Dialogue 15

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Fargo, J., Metraux, S., Byrne, T., Munley, E., Montgomery,
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Prevalence and Risk of Homelessness among (2012). The 2011 Annual Homeless Assessment
U.S. Veterans: A Multisite Investigation. National Report to Congress, November, p. 52.
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Gamache, G., Rosenheck, R. & Tessler, R. (2003).
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16 A National Summit on Women Veteran Homelessness: A Leadership Dialogue