According to a new study released by the United States Government Accountability Office, the number of homeless women veterans has more than doubled between 2006 and 2010.
The study found numbers have skyrocketed from 1,380 homeless women veterans in 2006 to 3,328 in 2010.
Two-thirds of the women surveyed are between the ages of 40 and 59, one-third have disabilities and many have children.
Along with these shocking statistics, the study also shows that insufficiencies in terms of aiding homeless women veterans.
While the Department of Veterans Affairs requires it staff to provide homeless veterans with referrals to acquire short-term housing in order to await placement in veteran housing, many women said they received no such referral.
Moreover, more than 60 percent of programs did not accept children, and of those that did, many had restrictions regarding age and number of children.
The VA has said it plans to eliminate the homelessness of veterans by 2015, but is falling short for women veterans.
Tell VA: Don't Neglect Women Veterans!
We the undersigned urge you to address the insufficiencies illustrated in the new study released by the United States Government Accountability Office.
As the rate of homelessness for women veterans has more than doubled, the study brings to light conflicting issues in providing women veterans with the utmost care.
The study found that women veterans are not receiving referrals for short-term housing and are unaware of their rights. Also, the facilities offered do not take into account the women's children.
We ask you to address these flaws in order to fully service women veterans.
Thank you for taking our concerns into serious consideration.
