Campaign

Why are veterans more likely to end up on the street?

Veterans often end up homeless for many of the same reasons as other Canadians, poverty, a lack of affordable housing, job loss or instability, health problems and family and marital breakdowns. Yet, veterans are more likely to experience problems with alcohol and drugs. The loss of identity, community, rank/purpose that comes from leaving the military and trying to re-enter civilian life are additional factors.

Helping Homeless veterans

Our heroes served and put their lives on the line. It is unacceptable that any veteran should find themselves homeless. This is a solvable problem – and as Canadians, we have a duty of care to help bring homelessness among veterans to an end.

On average, 4.4% of people experiencing homelessness in Canadian cities are veterans


of homeless veterans are living with one or more mental health, addiction issues, medical conditions, and physical disabilities — some, all at the same time


The type of support most frequently requested by homeless veterans is permanent SUPPORTIVE HOUSING

*2018 Ottawa PiT Count

Infographic Source

Veterans’ House: the Andy Carswell Building, Canso Campus, Ottawa

The Andy Carswell Building is Canada’s first residential complex purpose-built exclusively for veterans. It comprises 40 bachelor units for veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.