Pathways into homelessness among post-9/11-era veterans

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Veterans Affairs
• Mental Health

Background:

• Veteran homelessness remains a significant societal issue despite numerous initiatives.
• Limited research exists on the individual experiences and pathways into homelessness for veterans.
• Understanding veteran perspectives is crucial for effective intervention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the trajectories of post-9/11 veterans from military service to homelessness.
• To examine the influence of military and post-military experiences on veteran homelessness.
• To understand how veterans navigate and attempt to resolve episodes of homelessness.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study utilizing semistructured interviews.
• In-depth interviews conducted with 17 post-9/11-era veterans experiencing homelessness.
• Thematic analysis to identify key factors contributing to and resolving homelessness.

Main Results:

• Veterans attribute homelessness primarily to non-military factors like unemployment and relationship issues.
• Despite this perception, a strong link exists between combat sequelae (e.g., PTSD) and homelessness.
• Veterans face significant challenges accessing services from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and community organizations.

Conclusions:

• Veteran homelessness is complex, influenced by both situational and service-connected factors.
• Improving access to and engagement with VA services is critical for preventing and reducing veteran homelessness.
• Recommendations are provided for enhancing the efficiency and systematic delivery of VA support services.