Vasey RSL Care: Vet homelessness crisis worsens

A report released by the Productivity Commission has revealed a 25% increase in persistent homelessness across Australia over the past five years, with nearly 38,000 people now without a stable home for seven months or longer. Among the homeless community, military veterans continue to be disproportionately affected. “Veterans are nearly three times more likely to experience homelessness compared to the general population,” says Vasey RSL Care Chief Executive Officer, Janna Voloshin. Vasey RSL Care has seen firsthand the growing pressure on their veteran housing services, with increasing demand from veterans and their families in urgent need of stable accommodation. “Those who have served our nation should not be left without a home, yet too many are struggling to find secure housing after their military service,” says Voloshin. “We stand ready to be part of the solution,” she adds. “Vasey RSL Care has veteran social housing projects ready to go: we just need the government contribution to ensure those who served are not left behind.” Vasey RSL Care is urging action now. “We call on government to prioritise investment in veteran housing and ensure that no Australian who has worn the uniform is left without a place to call home. It’s time to look after them.” Vasey RSL Care is one of Australia’s leading providers of ex-service accommodation, care and support. As reported by the Royal Commission into Defence and Veterans Suicide, Australian veterans are almost three times more likely to experience homelessness than the general population and Australian veterans are over twice as likely to die by suicide than the general population. Veterans are also more likely to have other homelessness risk indicators including being single, unemployed, subject to financial strain, and experiencing a greater number of traumatic life events than the broader population. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Group Sales Director Simon Hadfield at [email protected]