DVNF Seeks to Stem the Rising Number of Female Veterans who are Living in Poverty and Homelessness and Urges More Female Veterans to Apply for their Individual Grants

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Disabled Veterans National Foundation, founded in 2007 by six women veterans, is promoting awareness of its individual grant program (which helps both men and women) to help address immediate and long-term solutions to the growing number of homeless female veterans.

“DVNF will take every opportunity to support measures that will improve the lives of women veterans and their families”

The homeless female veteran population has more than doubled since 2006, a new study says.

Using "limited VA data," the Government Accountability Office report suggests the number of homeless veteran women rose from 1,380 in 2006 to 3,328 in 2010. This includes women veterans with children. Additionally, the study – aided by interviews with veteran’s agencies and service providers - determined homeless women veterans were not always aware of veteran housing services.

“Any increase in the number of homeless women veterans is simply unacceptable,” said Raegan Rivers, of DVNF. “DVNF is committed to quickly determining the factors leading to the dramatic increase in their numbers, and to putting mechanisms – both financial and practical – in place to stem this growing tragedy and turn it around.”

Addressing issues specific to female veterans has been part of the DVNF mission since its inception, and gives the organization an edge in understanding and addressing the issues that plague women after they leave military service.

In a parallel move, DVNF is vocally supporting legislation by U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, which focuses on helping homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children. The bill passed through the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee by voice vote.

Murray’s bill, the Homeless Women Veterans and Homeless Veterans with Children Act, extends federal grant programs to help local organizations provide services including transitional housing, job training, counseling, and child care to the children of homeless veterans.

“DVNF will take every opportunity to support measures that will improve the lives of women veterans and their families,” said Rivers.

About DVNF: DVNF exists to change the lives of men and women who came home wounded or sick after defending our safety and freedom. A non-profit 501(c)(3), DVNF was founded in the fall of 2007 by six women veterans to expand their scope of work within the veteran's community. Visit www.dvnf.org.

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