A different type of understanding

Responding to veteran homelessness

Veteran homelessness is an urgent issue in Australia, affecting thousands of former service members who have dedicated their lives to defending the nation. The Salvation Army has been taking significant steps to address this crisis for many years, and that work continues today. Guided by the findings of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, the Salvos are implementing targeted initiatives to support veterans in need, and to train those who support them.

Captain Ali McKeand, Defence Veterans Ministries Coordinator for The Salvation Army Red Shield Defence Services (RSDS), and a Royal Australian Air Force chaplain, emphasises that their work is driven by the Royal Commission’s recommendations.

“Anything we start from here on out is a direct response to the Royal Commission,” she explains. “The recommendations are out, funding has been made available, and we are aligning them with who we are as an organisation.”

For veterans transitioning out of the military, the challenges of homelessness, mental health and financial instability can be overwhelming. Many face struggles with alcohol and drug dependency, mental health conditions and the difficulty of reintegrating into civilian life.

“The defence community has served our country and at the end of the day, they need our help,” says Ali. “It’s not easy to seek help. We want our veterans to know support is out there and they are not alone.”

Strategic support

To enhance their impact, The Salvation Army is fostering partnerships with other Salvos departments as well as government agencies, veteran affairs groups and other organisations. Ali’s role involves strengthening these connections to maximize resources and provide comprehensive support to veterans.

“This is happening organically, and we share the same vision with those we’re trying to partner with,” she says.

Chaplaincy training

The Salvos are also working to improve the training of their chaplains who interact with veterans. Understanding the unique challenges that former military personnel face is crucial to providing effective assistance.

“It takes a different type of understanding,” Ali explains. “This is what we want the training to do – ensure chaplains understand veteran differences and can properly support them and their families. This will make us better service providers.”

By the end of the year, a chaplaincy training module focused on veterans’ issues will be fully accredited, with a short-course version also available. This initiative is expected to roll out by the middle of next year and will be a collaborative effort involving The Salvation Army’s chaplaincy team and Eva Burrows College, The Salvation Army’s national college in Australia.

Homelessness

Homelessness among veterans is particularly concerning, with statistics from the Australian Housing Institute showing that 5.3 per cent of veterans experience homelessness compared to 1.9 per cent of the general population.

The transition from military to civilian life can be extremely difficult, particularly for those discharged for medical reasons. Many young veterans who leave the service unexpectedly struggle to find stable housing and employment, compounding their vulnerability.

“These young veterans have their whole lives ahead of them,” Ali explains. “They are struggling with their identity, and many suffer in silence. Tragically, the suicide statistics are not going down. This can be hard for the Australian public to understand, especially as ‘veterans’ are often associated with older service members who have seen years of wartime service. Many from that cohort, who served in Afghanistan and the Middle East, are also still struggling.”

To work through this crisis, Salvos programs such as Moneycare and service providers such as Employment Plus are being adapted to meet the specific needs of veterans. The Salvos — recognising that it is a nationwide issue — are also exploring opportunities to expand their work specifically in veteran homelessness beyond Queensland.

A call to action

Ali encourages individuals to get involved at the local level.

“Look at your local area. See if there are veterans connected to your community or church. If there is a need, start something. It could be a playgroup for defence families or another community initiative. We’ll give you the training and support you need,” she explains.

Ali has been serving with RSDS for eight years. “I live and breathe defence and love what I do in this unique space” she shares. “Part of why I do this is to show my children that sharing the love of Jesus and making a difference can be hard, but it does bring change.

“The veterans have trusted us in defence (through the RSDS). Will they trust us out of it?”

^{By Simone Worthing}