Why Do So Many Female Veterans End Up Homeless?

With the recent decision by military officials to allow women to serve on Navy submarines, women in the armed forces have now broken through every barrier -- the camouflage ceiling -- except for SEAL teams and traditional frontline combat roles.  While these are amazing accomplishments for women serving their country, once they return home the experiences and training they received while on active duty can sometimes cause them serious difficulties in adjusting to civilian life.

Almost three quarters of female veterans are likely to have experienced some form of military sexual trauma. They also have a difficult time asking for help, thanks to military training that taught them to "adapt and overcome," "finish the mission" and be "an army of one." This training, coupled with a host of other issues, often conspire to make female vets reluctant to seek out assistance for their civilian problems. As a result, female veterans are 3.6 times more likely to be homeless than their civilian counterparts and are even becoming homeless at a faster rate than male vets. (Women currently make up about three percent of all homeless veterans -- which still means several thousand of them are homeless each night.)

This makes programs that assist female veterans critical in stemming the tide of homelessness within this population. Faith-based organizations such as Malachi House International, coupled with annual Operation Stand Down events, and of course the VA, are playing pivotal roles in providing assistance to homeless women veterans, but much more help is needed.

Please, support the organizations in your community that are assisting with homelessness, especially those that address homeless female veterans; they served their country honorably and protected us here at home, it is the least we can do for them upon their return.

Photo credit: Beverly & Pack