Federal agencies lack adequate data on the characteristics and needs of homeless women veterans on a national, state, and local level. VA does not have the information needed to plan services effectively, allocate grants to providers, and track progress toward its overall goal of ending veteran homelessness by 2015.

Findings:

• The number of women veterans identified as homeless more than doubled, from 1,380 in fiscal year 2006 to 3,328 in fiscal year 2010. Although these data are not generalizable to all homeless women veterans, the General Accounting Office identified that almost two-thirds were between 40 and 59 years old;  more than one-third had disabilities; and many resided with their minor children.
• Homeless women veterans were not always aware of veteran housing services, which posed a significant barrier to access. Women veterans waited an average of 4 months before securing HUD-VASH housing. Without referrals for shelter or temporary housing during these waits, homeless women veterans may be at risk of physical harm and further trauma on the streets or in other unsafe places.
• Lack of housing for women with children is a significant barrier to accessing veteran housing.
• Homeless women veterans also cited safety concerns about housing, and some programs indicated incidents of sexual harassment or assault on women residents in the past 5 years.  To ensure that women veterans are safely housed, the Secretary of VA should determine what gender-specific safety and security standards are needed, especially for those serving both women and men.

For more information, contact Daniel Bertoni at (202) 512-7215 or bertonid@gao.gov.

http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-182

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