Welcome Home: Building a Habitat for Humanity with Veterans and Military Families

Habitat’s National Veteran Initiative is bearing fruit thanks to the leadership of its Veteran Corps VISTA’s and the commitment of Habitat for Humanity affiliates around the country. Since September of 2011, 12 VISTA members have served in communities across the U.S. to implement programming to meet the needs of veterans and their families as partner beneficiaries of Habitat housing solutions and to provide opportunities for veterans to continue to serve their country and communities as volunteers, AmeriCorps members, and employees.

Habitat affiliates are increasing their local impact by recruiting veterans for leadership positions; and in 2011 alone, Habitat affiliates provided housing solutions to more than 320 veteran partner families, promising long-term improvements in health and education outcomes. Additional Veteran Initiative accomplishments to date: • Identified 200+ affiliates that engage military and veterans in their programs. • Initiated and/or strengthened relationships with 100+ veteran-focused organizations. • Organized signature events to heighten awareness of Habitat’s opportunities for military and veterans on Memorial Day, 9/11 Day of Service, Veterans Day and other key dates. • Supported Habitat’s collaboration with major initiatives, including The White House Joining Forces Campaign, the Community Blueprint and Blue Star Families Operation Honor Card.

Habitat’s Veteran Corps has been particularly impactful at every stage of the Veteran Initiative, and Habitat service members are expected to serve even larger, more impactful roles as the initiative is taken to scale in coming years.

Employment Opportunities

Because approximately half of Habitat’s U.S. affiliates are led by volunteers and many others are supported by national service programs, fellowships, and internships, Habitat provides a range of opportunities for veterans and their families. Habitat is working to leverage veteran skills and experience to increase impact by: • Participating in local Hiring our Heroes job fairs. • Leveraging other veteran-focused organizations’ networks to recruit veterans and their families for paid employment, national service, and volunteer opportunities. • Partnering with government and nonprofit organizations to provide fellowships and internships often leading to full time employment.

Veterans have a strong service mentality, and research indicates that veterans and their families have more successful transitions to civilian life when they volunteer. Habitat is meeting this growing need.

Health and Education Benefits

The health and education benefits of stable housing are well documented and critical to veterans’ long-term health and education outcomes. Not as well-known are the health benefits of volunteering. Habitat’s Tacoma-Pierce County affiliate, for example has partnered with the local Army Warrior Transition Battalion to provide volunteer opportunities for soldiers recovering from injuries. The Army has observed significant health benefits, particularly for those suffering from PTSD.

Conclusion

Consistent with its work in the U.S., Habitat’s national service programs have been integral to the design, launch, and success of Habitat for Humanity’s National Veteran Initiative. With hundreds of thousands of American troops anticipated to return home over the next several years, Habitat’s Veteran Initiative is poised to provide housing interventions, jobs, and volunteer/community reintegration opportunities for veterans, members of the military, and their families.