Trauma-Informed Care for Women Veterans Experiencing Homelessness
The number of women in the military – both active duty and veteran populations – is growing rapidly. They face unusual challenges because of their military experiences and for many, multiple roles as breadwinner, parent, and spouse. Often their return to civilian life is difficult. An estimated 75,609 veterans are homeless, sheltered or unsheltered, on any given night. Women were 10,214 (7.5%) of the 136,334 homeless veterans who were sheltered sometime between October 1, 2008 and September 30, 2009 (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs).
Homeless Female Veterans and Homeless Veterans with Families
The United States Department of Labor-VETS (DOL) sponsors Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Programs (HVRPs) throughout the country that help veterans who are homeless, including women veterans, and veterans of both sexes who have families, to obtain and sustain employment. HVRPs also stimulate the development of effective service delivery systems that address the complex problems facing homeless veterans. HVRP was initially authorized under Section 738 of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act in July 1987. It is currently authorized under Title 38 U.S.C. Section 2021, as added by Section 5 of Public Law 107-95, the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001.