Chicago Women’s Veterans Village
It Takes a Village to Build A Village
INTRODUCING THE Chicago Women’s VETERANS VILLAGE
Ending unacceptable living conditions for veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) estimates that women will make up 16.3% of all living veterans by the year 2043.
With an anticipated increase in the number of women veterans, the possibility of an increase in homeless women veterans needs to be considered.
According to the 2018 AHAR there were 3,219 homeless women veterans across the country, a 9.8% decrease from the prior year and a 27.7% decline from 2013 when 4,456 women veterans were homeless.
This number also represents approximately 8.5% of all homeless veterans. Chicago has a 7% women veteran population however they are the most underserved veteran population.
The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness reports that women veterans are more likely than men to be part of a family with children present.
How do we address this issue? Sustainable, safe, respectful, quality, affordable housing.
In Chicago, we see firsthand that affordable housing is scarce.
Despite some improvements, Chicago continues to face a shortage of affordable housing. According to a 2021 report by the Institute of Housing Studies at DePaul University, the gap in affordable rental housing in Cook County has decreased between 2012 and 2019. However, the demand for affordable rental housing still surpasses the available supply by 159,000 units as of 2019.
Among those affected by this housing crisis are Chicago Veterans, who are struggling to find affordable accommodations. The issue is particularly challenging for women veterans, who represent the most impacted demographic within the veteran community.