Women Veterans: Ever Been Homeless?

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 10:35:07 -0400

Women Veterans: Ever Been Homeless?

Calling all women veterans -- who have been or are currently now homeless.

Lily Casura, Journalist; Grad Student; Founder, HealingCombatTrauma.com
is looking for women veterans that have been homeless to tell their story. RP Members if you know of or have known a homeless Women Veteran please pass this on.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lily-casura/women-veterans-ever-been-_b_8167632.html

While the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has made great strides in reducing the number of homeless male veterans in cities across America, the numbers of homeless female veterans are actually on the rise.

As I've written before here, part of the problem why we don't "see" women veterans who are homeless is because we're not looking in the right direction. They're not exactly like what America loosely pictures as a homeless veteran, so sadly most of us aren't aware that there are homeless women veterans. That picture needs to change.

I'm a freelance journalist and a graduate student in public policy (social work). I have been paying attention to this issue, and I am determined to make things better for women veterans. This year, I was awarded a grant from the International Women's Media Foundation to create a multimedia project about homeless women veterans. The project includes includes presenting data from a national survey I conducted last year among women veterans about periods of homelessness they may have experienced after military service. (Read more about my grant in this article from Military Times.)

Here's where you come in.

If you are a woman who served in the U.S. military and you have struggled with a period of homelessness at any point after completion of your military service, I would like to hear from you. In particular, I would like you to consider taking on a creative assignment.

Using a cellphone camera, shoot a short (one or two minutes long) video of something important to you about the story of your experience with homelessness. You can "take us on a tour" of where you lived when you were (don't endanger yourself doing this, please), or where you are now, and how that feels.

You can talk to the camera about something significant to you (and your family, if that applies) about your experience -- either during homelessness, or afterwards.

America has no idea, generally speaking, what you are going through or what you went through. Help tell America what it's been like for you -- and what the rest of us could do for women veterans that might make a difference.

While the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has made great strides in reducing the number of homeless male veterans in cities across America, the numbers of homeless female veterans are actually on the rise.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Sep 24 at 2015 10:46 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 10:46:03 -0400

I imagine there are a number of women veterans who have been or who are currently homeless COL Mikel J. Burroughs.
Those who are dealing with some kind of mental illness including effects related to PTSD could be at a greater risk of homelessness similar to male veterans.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Sep 24 at 2015 11:08 AM

MCPO Roger Collins — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 11:08:15 -0400

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.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Sep 24 at 2015 11:39 AM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 11:39:38 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs thank you for your compassion to the homeless and other less fortunate. Bringing awareness to these issues is key to helping resolve them!

Response by SPC Chelsea Fernandez made Sep 24 at 2015 1:37 PM

SPC Chelsea Fernandez — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 13:37:52 -0400

I'm on the verge of being put out my mother's house

Response by SGT Sara Hodgkiss made Sep 24 at 2015 2:38 PM

SGT Sara Hodgkiss — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 14:38:01 -0400

Each individual is subject to different circumstances. What makes the difference is exactly what I hope Lily Casura plans to do with the information she will gather. Find out what, why, how, and see what can be done to make a change. It is then dependent on the individual and the individuals circumstances but if their is an underlining variable it can bring light to the situation. I hope all women veterans will be able to find the necessary resources to avoid being homeless, and those resources will be provided!

Response by SPC Sheila Lewis made Sep 25 at 2015 1:47 PM

SPC Sheila Lewis — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 13:47:10 -0400

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

Response by MAJ Michele Bretz made Sep 30 at 2015 2:36 PM

MAJ Michele Bretz — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 14:36:16 -0400

I am currently on a board to end women veteran homelessness as it is a major problem in Asheville, NC. The foundation is called Aura Home for Women Veterans.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Nov 24 at 2015 6:12 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 18:12:50 -0500

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.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Dec 8 at 2015 8:57 AM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 08:57:08 -0500

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

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2015 12:39 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 12:39:44 -0500

This might be a good place to share the NPO "Distributing Dignity" which provides feminine products for homeless women. All you have to do is visit their Amazon wish list and buy the product to send it directly to them.

http://www.distributingdignity.org/
https://jtspratley.com/blog/assist-the-aid-of-homeless-women--citizens-of-kenya

Our Story

Distributing Dignity’s mission is to Distribute new bras, pads and tampons, enhancing the Dignity of women in need.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 14 at 2015 12:50 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 12:50:10 -0500

Mothers are often one pay check, one child support payment away from being homeless.

Response by SrA Mandy Snyder made Jul 29 at 2016 1:40 PM

SrA Mandy Snyder — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 13:40:34 -0400

Some of us became homeless, I am one of them. I made it through, though its not easy. Prayers for those still lost.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Aug 21 at 2016 9:11 AM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Sun, 21 Aug 2016 09:11:59 -0400

Yes. For three summers. Homelessness: and what-for me-was concomitant with it, was the worst experience I have ever had in my life. (Once, though, when I was sleeping in my sleeping bag, in a motel garden- the gardener turned the sprinklers on me....lol.)
I finally joined the Army.
-My Best to you, COL Mikel J. Burroughs, Margaret

Response by PFC Pamala (Hall) Foster made Aug 21 at 2016 6:48 PM

PFC Pamala (Hall) Foster — Sun, 21 Aug 2016 18:48:00 -0400

Yes and no. I lived out of a suitcase in a hotel for 2 weeks cause there was no room in the shelters but still I was scared and alone in many ways. Now I am rebuilding and recovering

Response by David Dannov made Nov 4 at 2018 10:35 PM

David Dannov — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 22:35:49 -0500

I'd like to tell my story, as I think its pretty inense. Transitioning so I thought I'd reach out

Response by LTC(P) Christina Moore made Apr 21 at 2021 11:49 PM

LTC(P) Christina Moore — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 23:49:05 -0400

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.....

Response by PO3 Angelique Soliz made Jun 17 at 2021 5:03 PM

PO3 Angelique Soliz — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 17:03:24 -0400

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.

Response by Sgt Judy Leonard made Dec 29 at 2021 11:50 PM

Sgt Judy Leonard — Wed, 29 Dec 2021 23:50:48 -0500

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

Response by SGT Sheri Lattimer made Sep 11 at 2022 1:36 PM

SGT Sheri Lattimer — Sun, 11 Sep 2022 13:36:26 -0400

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!