National Coalition for Homeless Veterans Women Veteran Issues June 24, 2008

2. Overview ofHomeless Programs There are 25 million US military veterans in the United States. More than 5 million veterans including 100,000 homeless veterans receive health care service annually. More than 70,000 veterans receive specialized VA homeless services. VA has awarded funding to more than 500 community and faith based organizations to support more than 13,000 transitional housing beds under the Homeless Grant and Per Diem Program

3. Women have served in the military since the Revolutionary War when they disguised themselves as men�and were only afforded full veteran status in the 1960�s. WASPS in WWII Airwomen in PG WarWomen have served in the military since the Revolutionary War when they disguised themselves as men�and were only afforded full veteran status in the 1960�s. WASPS in WWII Airwomen in PG War

4. Women Veterans Using VA

5. First all women air squadron in Gulf- Reserve re-fueling group, 2003 over Baghdad First all women air squadron in Gulf- Reserve re-fueling group, 2003 over Baghdad

6. The New OIF/OEF Era Veteran She is utilizing VA services: 42% enroll She is coming to VA frequently 45% were seen 2-10 visits 38.5 % seen 11 or more times since 2003 VHA Challenge: The total number of women using VA services will nearly double in the next 2-4 years. How will VHA best provide services as the numbers increase?

7. Overview ofHomeless Programs VA provides more than 165,000 single family loans each year valued at $25 billion VBA has 20 Full-time and 37 part-time homeless veteran outreach coordinators to enhance prompt claims for homeless and at-risk veterans. VBA identified and expedited more than 21,000 claims from homeless veterans since 2003. Approximately 44% of compensation claims and 77% of pension claims are approved annually.

8. Overview of Homeless Programs 859 OEF/OIF homeless veterans were seen through outreach efforts in FY�07 (1819 during the past 3 years). 261 veterans were placed or discharged from a VA or community-based residential treatment program in FY�07 (556 during the past 3 years). 11% of veterans seen are women

9. Overview of Homeless Programs 40,000 veterans were seen through outreach in the Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) program with a total of 245,857 outreach visits 4% Female Homeless Veterans 2,000 operational beds for the Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans Program (DCHV); 5,913 veterans received treatment 4.7% Female Homeless Veterans 15,408 veterans were admitted to a community-based Grant and Per Diem (GPD) program during 2007. 6.6% Female Homeless Veterans There are eight (8) women veteran special needs GPD programs

10. Overview of Homeless Program 15, 441 veterans were admitted to a GPD program nationally during FY 2007 4% female veterans were placed in GPD program of which 106 placed in a special needs GPD program A total of 213 female veterans were enrolled since 2005 and 106 in 2007

11. Homeless Veteran Initiatives Project CHALENG 2007 Community Homelessness Assessment, Local Education and Networking Groups (CHALENG) for Veterans estimates there were 154,000 veterans who were homeless on any given night. The estimate of homeless veterans is down 21% from the 2006 estimate of 195,000. This represents a 40% reduction since 2001. More than 9,000 people, including 5,000 homeless or formerly homeless veterans attended local meetings to determine met and unmet need and develop local action plans.

12. Homeless Veteran Initiatives Stand Down Last year, more than 143 Stand Downs for homeless veterans were held. More than 30,000 veterans and family members were served by nearly 19,000 volunteers and VA employees Acquired Property Program A VA foreclosed single family house can be sold at a deep discount up to 50% off its original price to a nonprofit organization to �shelter� homeless for at least 3 years Mission Drive Enhanced Use Lease Targets property to homeless veterans under consideration at 49 sites

13. Homeless Veterans InitiativesHomeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program Promote the development and provision of supportive housing and services to assist veterans with achieving residential stability, increased skills and/or income, greater self-determination. The program is offered annually to fund community agencies who seek to provide services to homeless veterans Only programs with supportive housing or service centers are eligible for this funding.

14. Homeless Veteran InitiativesHomeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program Grants Awards 65% the cost of construction, renovation, or acquisition of a building for use as service centers or transitional housing for homeless veterans Renovation of VA properties is allowed, acquiring VA properties is not Recipients must obtain the matching 35% from other sources. Per Diem Priority is awarding the Per Diem funds goes to the recipients of the Grants Non-grant programs may apply for Per Diem under a separate announcement for �Per Diem Only�

15. Homeless Veterans InitiativesHomeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program Top Three Funding Priorities in GPD Programs FY08 Women, to include women with dependent children Vermont, Nebraska, Alaska Indian Tribal Governments

16. Homeless Veterans Initiatives Healthcare for Re-Entry Program Incarcerated Veterans Outreach Department of Justice estimates 60,000 veterans will be eligible for release from federal or state prison annually Incarcerated Veteran Outreach Initiative In FY 2007, 39 Full-time Re-entry Specialist were hired; 18 additional Specialist will be hired in FY08 Incarcerated Veterans� Transitional Program (IVTP) Seven pilot sites for this program was funded by VA and the Department of Labor. 4,000 veterans were assessed prior to release and 54% were successful with obtaining employment

17. Homeless Veterans InitiativesHUD-VASH In FY08, VA expanded a permanent housing initiative in partnership with Housing and Urban Development to create 10,000 new units of veteran specific Section-8 housing with VA case management services. VA will hire 290 case management staff to provide services to veterans placed in the program. The new HUD-VASH initiative adds new capacity in every state. VA will target veterans with families including those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

18. Homeless Veterans InitiativesHUD-VASH HUD will provide housing assistance through its Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program allowing veterans to rent privately owned housing VA will offer eligible homeless veterans clinical and supportive services through it medical centers across the U.S and Puerto Rico Local communities that receive HUD homeless assistance will work with VA to identify eligible veterans and families.

19. Focusing on the Needs of Women and Families Female veterans more likely to experience severe housing cost burden. The HUD/VASH program allows VA to strengthen support to families

20. Homeless Women Veterans Programs(HWVP) Programs started in 2000 in response to Congressional requests for more outcomes evaluations of homeless programs. 11 sites were chosen for implementation: HWVP: Boston, Brooklyn, Tampa, Atlanta, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas, and Houston. 84 women were contacted by outreach in addition to 157 already receiving services in FY 2007.

21. HWVP Goals Provide outreach to the community to identify female veterans who are either literally homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Provide case management for their medical or psychiatric needs, as well as provide assistance with navigating the VA and social welfare systems. Provide residential treatment in partnership with non-profit programs in the community.

22. More homeless veterans are women 2 % to 7 % in 10 yrs. Two reasons why: More female soldiers Prevalence of sexual assault Challenge: Assessing Risk for homelessness, innovative interventions women with children In the last 10 years, the percentage of women among homeless veterans has more than tripled from 2 percent in 1996 to 7 percent at the end of 2005, The exact number of female veterans on the street remains unclear - estimates range from 6,800 to 14,000 - but all agree their ranks are increasing. Experts say at least two very different factors are causing this. Female soldiers are at an all-time high - 11 percent of troops in Iraq and Afghanistan - and still rising. Also driving the trend is the continuing prevalence of sexual assault in the military. Research shows that from 20 percent to 40 percent of female veterans said they had been sexually assaulted in the service. In the last 10 years, the percentage of women among homeless veterans has more than tripled from 2 percent in 1996 to 7 percent at the end of 2005, The exact number of female veterans on the street remains unclear - estimates range from 6,800 to 14,000 - but all agree their ranks are increasing. Experts say at least two very different factors are causing this. Female soldiers are at an all-time high - 11 percent of troops in Iraq and Afghanistan - and still rising. Also driving the trend is the continuing prevalence of sexual assault in the military. Research shows that from 20 percent to 40 percent of female veterans said they had been sexually assaulted in the service.

23. Women Veterans Using VA

24. Sociodemographic Characteristics Age Medium 50 Years Race: More than 71% Veterans of Color, and 45% White Marital Status: Nearly 69% Previous Married VA Benefits: 37% SC Usual Employment: Full Time 46% Disabled/Retired 24%

25. Period of Service Period of Service: Vietnam-Era 13.19% Post Vietnam 39.01% Persian Gulf 47.80% Fire in combat zone: 16.02%

26. Length of Time Homeless Not Currently Homeless 25.27% < One Month 15.38% 1 Mos To 6 Mos 26.37% 6 Mos to < 1 Yr. 11.54% 1 Yr.< 2 Yrs 10.99% 2 Or More Yrs. 10.44%

27. Health and Mental Health Needs of Women Veterans 84% Substance Abuse Treatment 64% Medical Treatment 65% MST 40% Non Combat PTSD 61% Adjustment Dx. 12% Combat PTSD 4% Schizophrenia 16%Other Psychotic Dx. 43% Mood Disorders

28. Special Characteristics Majority of women have a history of serious trauma 83% history of any life -threatening trauma 23% women in the military report sexual assault Homeless women veterans are twice as likely to have been sexually assaulted 57% had been attacked by a gun or knife 16% experienced combat- related gunfire

29. Services Provided During The First Three Months of Care 26% Supportive contact 45% Active monitoring of veteran progress 78% Referrals to VA and Non VA services 44% Received active help with housing 12% Received rehabilitation counseling 24% Received substance abuse treatment 10% Psychotherapy 20% MST Treatment

30. 2007 Annual Report Summary 23% had minor children for who they were responsible 15% received help in obtaining pediatric care for children 9% received help getting mental health care for their children

31. Annual Report Rates of homelessness decreased as women remained in the program: Admission 80% were literally homeless At three months 20% homeless At six months 20% homeless At nine months 30% homeless Average LOS is between 8 and 9 months

32. Our Mission is � To Change The End of the Story For homeless veterans debilitating physical and mental health issues leave many without hope. VA in collaboration with entities of government, community and faith-based service providers, is changing the end of the story for tens of thousands of homeless veterans each year. With the assistance of our community partners, the percentage of veterans among the homeless are declining. Over 80% of homeless veterans in residential programs were appropriately housed one year after discharge from transitional programs.

33. Contact You can access homeless information on the internet at: www.va.gov/homeless Or by emailing homelessvet@va.gov Peter H. Dougherty, Director Homeless Veterans Programs 202-461-7401 At the end of life we will not be judged by the number of diplomas we have received, how much money we have, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by 'I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless and you took me in.� Mother Teresa

34. You Served - You Deserve