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Lambda Beta Alpha
                                                   Military Sorority, Inc.

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This page is dedicated to the Lambda Beta Alpha activities that support the VetH.E.R.an national program. 

Each letter of the H.E.R. abbreviation represents a major LBA focus:

– H represents our goals for improving veteran health; that all veterans mental, physical and spiritual health might be made better each day through our efforts. 

- E represents education – may we diligently work to ensure our members achieve personal and professional enrichment and that we continue to mentor our children and our youth - the future leaders of our org and our country. 

- R represents responsibility – specifically our call to civic responsibilities in our local and national communities; this includes community service as well as in sharing our experience to advocate for veteran needs with our elected and appointed officials.

The state of homelessness among women Veterans in 2023

Three women Veterans’ stories of homelessness


January 19, 2024

Shawn Liu

Director of Communications, Homeless Programs office


Click here to read full article


Rising number of women Veterans who are homeless


Although it’s true that, from 2020 to 2023, total homelessness among Veterans decreased by 4.5%—from 37,252 to 35,574—homelessness among women Veterans actually increased by nearly 24%—from 3,126 to 3,980—according to data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.


In that same period, the number of unsheltered women Veterans—those living on the streets, in a car or in another unsafe situation—jumped nearly 48%, from 1,464 to 2,165.



While the general proportion of women Veterans experiencing homelessness is still low, the trend is concerning, given that VA estimates women are on track to make up 18% of all U.S. Veterans by 2040.



Factors that contribute to homelessness among Veterans



Reducing and preventing homelessness among women Veterans starts by recognizing some of the contributing factors unique to them:

  • Trauma. There’s evidence of a connection between women Veteran homelessness and trauma. Women Veterans who were homeless have told VA researchers that the experience of trauma before, during and after military service contributed to their housing instability.
  • Military sexual assault. We also find that one in three women say “yes” when screened by VA health care for military sexual assault (MST), which is sexual assault or threatening sexual harassment during a person’s military service. 
  • Intimate partner violence. Many women Veterans who are homeless also report having a history of intimate partner violence.
  • Poverty. Housing is a large expense for anyone, but studies show that women are more likely than men to be at risk of poverty.
  • Single parenthood. Women also shoulder more of the costs of child-rearing, particularly as single parents. 



Other complex challenges, often connected to or worsened in service, can be common characteristics of women Veterans’ experience of housing instability. These include childhood adversity, substance use, relationship termination, medical problems, a post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis and unemployment.




CLICK HERE TO PROCEED TO AMAZON WISH LIST




Additional in-kind and monetary donations may be sent to:



Lambda Beta Alpha Military Sorority, Inc.

14497 Potomac Mills Rd #1129

Woodbridge, VA 22192


or


CLICK HERE TO MAKE A MONETARY DONATION ONLINE


Please note: Monetary donations will receive a tax-receipt automatically. If you would like a receipt for the Wish List items purchased, please ensure you include your address.