Former Defence Force staff turning to homelessness services

More Australian ex-servicemen and women are turning to crisis accommodation and homelessness services, a new study has found, and the greatest number seeking help are in Victoria.

Former Australian Defence Force members are using specialised homelessness services at an alarmingly high rate, a new study has found.

Almost half of those using crisis services across Australia were listed as being homeless, with the greatest number — 35 per cent of the total — seeking help in Victoria.

The statistics, compiled by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare between July 2011 and June 2017, also showed a further 587 clients were considered “at risk” of homelessness.

The six-year study found there were more ex-servicemen than women using the services and the majority were aged 25 to 34.

Most sought help for housing and accommodation with two in five spending at least one night in a homelessness service bed at some point.

More ex-servicemen than women have been found to use homeless services. Picture: David Caird

The vast majority arrived at a specialist service alone.

Michael Annett, the RSL’s Victorian chief, has been providing support to veterans for almost a decade and said such services were essential in helping them return to normal life.

“When people make a transition from military service to civilian life there’s a range of pressures that can come into play,” he said.

“This could be mental health, family issues or a combination of other factors. We have the responsibility to put men and women dealing with those issues in, for example, a short-term apartment.

“The most important thing, whether we are veterans or not, is a roof over our heads — stable accommodation makes you able to plan your life.”

Veterans discharged from duty are significantly more likely to end up in the care of a support service.

Alarmingly, 53 per cent of the 274 women seeking help needed support for domestic violence issues.

The study also found that half of the women were single parents.

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Many veterans sought help across a number of years.

Mr Annett said more ­research and understanding was needed to help returned servicemen and women get back on their feet.

“We are constantly mindful of the fact that we need to reach out and let veterans know that we not only can help but we are keen to help,” he said.

The study compiled ­responses from 1215 men and women who had recently served in the ADF.

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