Poverty, lack of affordable housing and health care, domestic violence, and mental illness contribute to homelessness. Musculoskeletal injuries, chronic pain, and disability are common among veterans, along with depression, PTSD, and SUD, placing them at increased risk for suicide.

Homelessness occurs when an individual lacks a regular, fixed nighttime residence. Groups experiencing homelessness are twice as likely to experience many chronic diseases and disorders and are often exposed to communicable diseases, violence, malnutrition, and weather-related exposures.

veteran — an individual who is serving or has served in the active military, naval, or air service and if they are no longer in the active military, they were discharged under conditions…. disability — an impairment in the body or mind that results in difficulty doing certain activities and interacting with the environment. homelessness — a condition where individuals or families lack a regular, fixed, and adequate nighttime residence; includes individuals or families living in shelters or living in public or…. domestic violence — violent or aggressive behavior within the home, usually involving abuse of a spouse or partner.