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ABSTRACT
Transgender veterans are more likely than non-transgender (i.e., cisgender) veterans to experience housing instability, and they may experience unique challenges in accessing permanent supportive housing (PSH). The objective of this study was to explore transgender and cisgender veterans’ experiences utilizing PSH through the U.S. Departments of Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program. Between February and May 2018, 48 veterans (14 cisgender women, 17 cisgender men, 17 transgender individuals) completed an audio-recorded, semi-structured telephone interviews; all transgender individuals self-identified as transgender women. We used rapid identification of themes from audio recordings (RITA) to analyze the data. Half of the participants had been in HUD-VASH one to three years. Most respondents cited their case manager as a key facilitator in successfully becoming housed and identified lack of understanding the HUD-VASH admission processes and wait times as common barriers to housing. Other challenges included veterans’ inability to receive services until they were homeless and landlords’ reluctance to rent to veterans with histories of substance use. Transgender women veterans conveyed unique challenges related to sex-specific shelter experiences and incongruence of identification cards and gender expression.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank Bryan Ketterer, MS for his assistance in data management and Taylor Boyer, MPH for their assistance in manuscript preparation. This work was supported by a pilot award to JRB from the Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion. This work was also partially supported by a VA Health Services Research and Development (HSR&D) Career Development Award to JRB (CDA-14-408). The views or opinions expressed in this work are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the funders, institutions, the Department of Veterans Affairs, or The United States Government.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Disclaimer
The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the institutions, funders, US Department of Veterans Affairs, or the United States Government.
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Notes on contributors
John R. Blosnich
John R. Blosnich, PhD, MPH is a Research Health Scientist with the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion (CHERP). His research focuses on sexual and gender minority veterans’ health.
Keri L. Rodriguez
Keri L. Rodriguez, PhD is the Co-Director of Qualitative Methods Core of CHERP. Her research focuses on gaining a better understanding of health providers’ communication styles and determining whether providers modify their conversation based on their patients’ values, socio-demographic characteristics, or clinical status.
Kristina L. Hruska
Kristina L. Hruska, MS was a research assistant with CHERP with experience in qualitative data collection and coding.
Gloria J. Klima
Gloria J. Klima, MA is a research assistant with CHERP with experience in qualitative data collection and coding.
Jesse K. Vazzano
Jesse K. Vazzano, LICSW is the National Director of HUD-VA Supportive Housing at the US Department of Veterans Affairs.
Jillian C. Shipherd
Jillian C. Shipherd, PhD is one of two Directors for the LGBT Health Program at the Veterans Health Administration in Washington DC, overseeing policy recommendations, provider education programs, and clinical services to support personalized, pro-active, patient-driven healthcare for LGBT Veterans.
Michael R. Kauth
Michael R. Kauth, PhD is one of two Directors for the LGBT Health Program at the Veterans Health Administration in Washington DC, overseeing policy recommendations, provider education programs, and clinical services to support personalized, pro-active, patient-driven healthcare for LGBT Veterans.
Ann Elizabeth Montgomery
Ann Elizabeth Montgomery, PhD an Assistant Professor at the UAB School of Public Health in the Department of Health Behavior as well as an Investigator with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans and Birmingham VA Medical Center. Dr. Montgomery has conducted research and evaluation in a number of settings with an emphasis on vulnerable populations including individuals and families experiencing homelessness.