Overrepresentation of women veterans among homeless women.

OBJECTIVES

This study estimated the proportion of veterans among homeless women and their risk of homelessness relative to that of nonveterans.

METHODS

Data came from 2 surveys of homeless women (1 clinical and 1 nonclinical) and 1 survey of domiciled women.

RESULTS

The proportion of veterans (4.4%, 3.1%) among homeless women was greater than the proportion among domiciled women (1.3%, 1.2%). When we computed odds ratios for being a veteran among homeless women compared with nonhomeless women, homeless women were significantly more likely than nonhomeless women to be veterans.

CONCLUSIONS

Women veterans are at greater risk for homelessness than are nonveterans. Further study is needed to determine whether increased risks for veterans are a product of military service or reflect volunteers' self-selection into the armed forces.