Housing & Homelessness Services
You can assist veterans in obtaining stable housing by identifying families that qualify for veteran-specific housing programs, addressing service-related barriers to stable housing, and collaborating effectively with military-veteran resources.
Have You Ever Served In The Military?
One question can make a big difference…
Why Ask The Question
Housing services providers encounter veterans, service members, and military family members, but they don't always know it. Veterans do not always identify themselves. They can be proud and stoic, and tend to be more comfortable helping others than asking for help themselves. At the same time, they may be dealing with homelessness or imminent homelessness, or other housing-related challenges. The way to ensure military-veteran applicants for housing services get the help they need and deserve is to ASK!
Ask The Question
When an individual or family applies for housing services, ask, "Have you or a family member ever served in the military?"
When the answer is "yes", you may consider thanking them for their service. You may also then be able to help them identify and access veteran-specific housing programs, services, and benefits by asking further questions. This will also help you to:
- Build rapport and demonstrate interest and cultural competency
- Link to any needed military and veteran resources and referrals, including both VA and non-VA programs
- Identify any mental health and/or physical or medical issues impeding housing stability
- Identify potential sources of income and assess financial stability
- Identify supports and resources as well as areas in need of further support
- Address perceived barriers to seeking support and services
Questions to Ask Your Veteran
Following are some questions that could be asked in the context of gathering information for more effective referrals and services. Pay attention to non-verbal cues, and show respect, curiosity, and empathy. Also be aware that responsiveness and effective follow–up are critical to building trust and rapport.
When did you/your family member serve? What service era? Which Branch?
- Build rapport with the parent and child and demonstrate interest and cultural competency
- Identify family supports and resources as well as needs for support not yet met
In what ways may your need for services here be connected to your/your family member's military service?
- Identify any deployment-related stressors on the child and family as well as any related behavioral, emotional, social, and academic implications for the child
- Explore deployment and reintegration challenges
Is your child facing or has recently faced a family member's deployment or military duty away from home? If yes, when?
- Identify any deployment-related stressors on the child and family as well as any related behavioral, emotional, social, and academic implications for the child
- Explore deployment and reintegration challenges
Are you/your family member enrolled/connected to the VA or other veteran resource or organizations for support or services?
- Link to any needed military and veteran resources and benefits, including both VA and non-VA programs
- Identify family supports and resources as well as needs for support not yet met
What types of support are needed but not yet met?
- Link to any needed military and veteran resources and benefits, including both VA and non-VA programs
- Identify family supports and resources as well as needs for support not yet met
What reservations did you/your child have about coming in to seek support and assistance? Is there anything that might be a barrier to further seeking assistance?
- Address perceived barriers to the child or parent(s) in seeking support