The challenges of measuring homelessness among armed forces veterans : service provider experiences in England

This study investigates the measurement of homelessness among Armed Forces veterans in England, starting from the strikingly low figures in local authority administrative data returns compared to the USA. Findings from stakeholder interviews revealed awareness of more homeless veterans than identified through the local authority homelessness return, although presentations varied between organisational types. Participant perspectives on the low official numbers included both veteran- and institutional-based explanations, ranging from the perceived reluctance of veterans to present to homelessness services, through to the centrality of priority need and the exclusion of those supported outside of the statutory homelessness system. Reforms to administrative data-based statistical returns are suggested in the conclusion.