Women Veterans: Ever Been Homeless?

I decidedly was homeless for three summers. I would NOT recommend it.

COL Mikel J. Burroughs, I am a Veteran; and I have been homeless- albeit before I entered the military. I don't believe that I had all of my mental and emotional faculties about me; at the time.
It really doesn't matter when one is/was homeless; It is absolute hell regardless.
I got raped; for one thing. I hope that that man is locked up for life.

Sometimes the school money might be late which causes the rent to be late which gets you evicted which leaves you homeless.

Homelessness is a problem in the USA, BUT, in many instances it is because of bad decisions and career choices. This will never go away completely because there are those that have alcohol and drug addiction, for what ever reason. When surveys are conducted in the small area I live, the response is they don't want to live in the shelters that are available. Those that do are a mix of races, sex and pretty much indicative of the population, in general. You would find the same stats for those that never served. Unless you leave the military for some disciplinary reason or downsizing, it is a good idea to make sure you have a plan, even if it to go home with Mom and Pop. If you have a job, regardless of how menial, keep it until you have another. Hate to preach, but if we can get to those that can't help themselves, because of personal flaws, we are never going to make inroads on what is a tragedy for so many.

I think we have all been there. After my first enlistment I went back home to "surf" my moms couch and go to college kid in tow, I was a lucky one to have parents to go back home to.....

I've been homeless twice. Once after losing my apartment (trusting the wrong person) and a second time-well, it's a long story. The first time I called the local DVA and the Homeless Veteran Support number first thing. Neither could help me. The sad part is, there's been a homeless veterans center for a while now in Lexington KY, but only useful if you're a man. I am so glad someone is seriously doing something about this. Thank you!

Too many times women are looked over and not even asked if they are a vet. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been Called an employee or a dependent. Usually asked who I’m coming to see at the VA. My dad my brother my uncle my son? Too many times looked over as not being a real veteran.

One of many humiliating experiences I had at the VA was incredible! I was having an anxiety attack in the VA. I wanted to go to the emergency room but I had to secure my aunt to pick up my young son from school first. Having weak phone signal o had to stand in the middle of the hallways. With my anxiety I needed to sit down. I sat on the floor next the the wall. I look across the hall and see a male (vet) sit on the floor. And than several people not with him ran over to assist him and put him in a wheelchair. No one said a word to me except for one employee. Coming around the corner he says “you need to get off the floor before someone trips over you.”

I know this is not exactly homeless but it definitely shows how women are not seen as “real” veterans.

I have many stories of my non veteran assuming status. This story is mild compared to others.

TT

I became homeless with my son, whom had just turned 18 a month prior and my emotional support animal . We left a volatile living situation and slept in our car. The increased abuse, made us return the vehicle to the abuser, and having good credit I was forced to buy another to have something to sleep in and get around. However, I only had my VA disability pay and it is no where near enough to find housing in Los Angeles, we both were going to school full-time, and my son had just been offered a job to work at Disneyland. Then COVID-19 hit, my son lost his job, everything was shutting down, bathrooms and gyms we used were closing down, and the streets were becoming more crowded with people and more dangerous. We called 211 to get assistance, but they wanted to separate my son and my dog from me. I would rather continue to live in my car than do that, so we did that for 2 months. The contact at 211 asked if I had gone to the VA for help and I didn't know anything about it. I went to The Welcome Center at the VA hospital and it was extremely uncomfortable, because it was mostly catered to men, even when calling my name they said Mr. They were friendly and helpful, but they were very misinformed. They raved how I would be able to get the VASH voucher, but that didn't happen. Then I got assistance from PATH, and it took so long for them to get their act together, I had to do most of the work. It was even more stressful dealing with them. We did get into an apartment thanks to the apartment supervisor knowing we would be getting assistance from PATH. Half way through assistance PATH said we lived in a place that was too expensive, I had asked what is the amount in rent I need to look for, and they replied that there was no limit as long as I could qualify. It took PATH 8 months to pay from the time I moved in March 31 and that just added on the amount of stress we were already dealing with trying to go to school and deal with my health issues. As of today, my last bit of assistance from PATH is still waiting to be paid, I have received so many notices about paying the rent, especially now with the evictions coming soon.
I know this isn't like many of the women veterans or even male veterans have had to endure on the streets, but I know I was close to that point. Being denied the VASH voucher for not being a drug addict or alcoholic and already getting assistance from the VA hospital disqualified me from getting a voucher I was told. After being told I would, HUD had told me I could get it, and PATH tried, it was still NO, which was something that could have assisted us a lot easier than going through PATH, it made me feel like giving up. I even tried fighting it, because I read all the qualifications according to the guidelines and we met every one of them. I don't know what it is that truly disqualified me, but this is exactly why there are so many homeless veterans on the street right now. No veteran should be on the street! Vouchers should be given out more freely to veterans, but they are not. I now know why many have given up on the government. I have even tried expediting my court disability case with the VA and still no word. I hope you can shed light on this growing issue. I have seen things that no human being should have to endure, especially a woman, and veterans.