Influence of Stable Housing on Veteran-Related Illnesses
Veterans’ reintegration into society after serving for their country can face a multitude of difficulties. Whether it’s with their mental health, maintaining their relationships with friends and family, finding a job, accessing healthcare, or other issues, secure housing can offer a solution. Returning veterans often face homelessness, which is an issue that’s only getting worse. 15,507 veterans were homeless in 2023, up 7.4% from the previous year, according to a VA News article. This leads to a host of issues that veterans need to confront which can all be improved through stable housing.
Unstable housing has a snowball effect of negative impacts that veterans face with reintegration. Without stable housing, it makes finding employment more difficult since a fixed address is significant for job applications as homelessness compromises the perception of reliability that employers and academic institutions look for in applicants. Stable housing is also important for offering access to community resources, and accessing healthcare for veterans. Unstable housing additionally puts veterans at higher risk for developing substance abuse issues as well as other physical health complications.
One of the most important factors a stable housing provides for veterans, however, is a safe environment. Many veterans return and need to recover from mental health issues such as depression and PTSD. A stable housing will offer the sheltered environment that a recovering veteran needs to process and heal. Additionally, veterans are accustomed to the rigid structure of the military and with stable housing they can adjust to a new routine more readily. There is also a community that comes with stable housing, which has resources and support necessary for those suffering from post traumatic mental health illnesses and struggling with reintegration. A community aids returning veterans by being the foundation in which they can build upon. It will give them a sense of belonging and offer socialization that is critical for their mental health while also giving veterans social connections.
It’s quite difficult to make the shift from military to civilian life, as there are many differences between those livestyles that demand many significant adjustments for veterans. However, these changes can all be made more readily with secure housing offering them community, stability, and a safe environment for them to heal and process.
By Brianna Keaveny