Addressing Disparities and Improving the System of Care for Veterans Through the Community Assessment Process

Abstract

A disproportionate number of U.S. military veterans experience homelessness and housing instability. It is estimated that more than 47,000 U.S. veterans are homeless on any given night, and while veterans represent 7% of the overall population, they represent 11% of those experiencing homelessness (HUD 2015). The City of New Orleans has effectively ended homelessness among veterans and many communities including Houston, Phoenix and Salt Lake City are not far behind. These communities have addressed the issue by providing permanent supportive housing and building partnerships between the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the homeless services system. Yet ensuring all veterans in the community remain housed requires knowledge, coordination and partnerships beyond the VA and the homeless service providers. Community indicator projects have the potential to gather community-level data and build regional partnerships in an effort to serve all veterans, address disparities, and help communities move away from a crisis response system toward a system of prevention and improved community wellbeing. The San Mateo County Veterans Needs Assessment was developed in an effort to address the growing need of ageing veterans and the high proportion of veterans experiencing homelessness. Developing a veteran’s indicator project for social change is challenging in the current climate. There are barriers to identifying veterans in the general population and developing common indicators across programs and systems. Yet there is the potential for communities to improve mainstream and civilian data systems, and enhance services and outcomes for veterans through community assessment.