Military history: The experiences of people who become homeless after leaving military service

Abstract

A disproportionate number of homeless people have spent time in the armed forces. This study used interviews with ex‐homeless people with a Services background to record their individual experiences and look at the factors which might increase the likelihood that someone will become homeless after leaving the Services. Disrupted family backgrounds were a feature of the lives of the youngest respondents. Alcohol dependency, mental health problems and relationship breakdown featured strongly among the group as a whole, although they were associated more strongly with older respondents. A central conclusion is that help with housing should be complemented by greater access to emotional and psychological support services during and after the period of transition from military to civilian life.

Citation

Lemos, G. (2005), "Military history: The experiences of people who become homeless after leaving military service", Housing, Care and Support, Vol. 8 No. 3, pp. 4-8. https://doi.org/10.1108/14608790200500017