Veteran homelessness crisis demands urgent government action
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In recognition of National Homelessness Week 2024, RSL LifeCare is urgently calling for increased support from both NSW and Commonwealth Governments to address the alarming rise in veteran homelessness.
Recent data from the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute reveals that veterans are 2.8 times more likely to experience homelessness than the general population within 12 months of leaving the ADF.
RSL LifeCare CEO Janet Muir emphasised the severity of the situation: “It is well documented that veterans are overrepresented in the homeless population, with risk factors such as PTSD, substance abuse, and operational service contributing to their homelessness. What is clear is that more needs to be done to support organisations like RSL LifeCare who have plans to invest more resources into veteran homelessness.”
The organisation’s Homes for Heroes program, a 12-week transitional housing initiative, has been at the forefront of addressing this issue. Since 2014, it has provided crucial support to hundreds of homeless veterans, offering not just accommodation but also comprehensive wrap-around services:
- providing safe short-term or medium-term accommodation while the veteran’s homeless related issues are addressed;
- case management and support to assist the veteran into long-term sustainable living options, with significant rent concessions;
- connecting the veteran to other services offered by RSL LifeCare, including employment, education and training, financial assistance, DVA claims support, and positive community networks like RSL sub-Branches; and
- strategies in place to respond to any ongoing requests from the veteran for information or advice as well as referrals to clinical and allied support where required.
Despite the NSW Government’s recent reaffirmation of its plan to reduce homelessness, RSL LifeCare expresses disappointment at the lack of focus on ex-servicemen and women in these initiatives. With the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide set to release its final report next month, there’s a pressing need to expand programs like Homes for Heroes that address key suicide risk factors among veterans.
Muir called for greater collaboration between public and private sectors: “In recognition of National Homelessness Week, I am calling for greater collaboration between the public and private sector to address the challenge of veteran homelessness. The NSW and Commonwealth Government must prioritise funding for our ex-servicemen and women – who have selflessly and courageously served our country.”
She concluded with a powerful statement: “The time to eradicate veteran homelessness is now. Better targeted action is required and as a society, we owe it to our veterans and their families to step up.”
Related: Veterans to benefit from first-of-its-kind brain injury research initiative
Ritchelle is a Content Producer for Healthcare Channel, Australia’s premier resource of information for healthcare.
