At a time of growing global conflict, we are hearing more discussion about the potential need to deploy our troops to protect democracy and stability. While Australia is geographically distant from many of these conflicts, recent events around the world remind us how quickly peace and security can change. What feels safe today can shift in a matter of hours.
When that happens, the first people we rely on are the men and women who step forward to serve. They protect our values, our freedoms, and our way of life.
But when service ends, many of those same men and women return home carrying the invisible scars of what they have experienced. No matter how well trained or prepared they were, some will struggle with the horrors they have seen and the difficult transition back into civilian life.
History has taught us this lesson repeatedly: from World War I and World War II to Iraq and Afghanistan, many will be affected for life. They return with physical and psychological wounds, searching for safety, stability and a pathway back to rebuilding their lives.
The reality is that veterans are almost three times more likely to experience homelessness than the general population.
"No veteran should come home to homelessness," says Vasey RSL Care CEO, Janna Voloshin.
Vasey RSL Care has submitted an Expression of Interest under the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) Round 3 to deliver additional veteran housing across the state and to help combat veteran homelessness.
"While we understand the process is competitive, we encourage the Federal Government to prioritise projects that will house some of our community's most vulnerable, our veterans," says Voloshin.
At Vasey RSL Care, through initiatives like the V Centre and affordable veteran housing programs, staff see this reality every day. "Veterans come to us as strong individuals who have faced extraordinary challenges and are simply looking for something many Australians take for granted. the safety of a home and the support to rebuild their lives."
Providing safe housing and structured support is the first and most important step in that journey. Without stable housing, recovery becomes significantly more difficult.
The urgency of supporting veterans is not always reflected in public policy or community priorities. Too often, programs that support veterans compete with other political agendas and funding pressures. This must change.
"If we expect young Australians to stand ready to defend our nation and our democratic values, we must be equally ready to support them when they return home," says Voloshin. "The Government must expand affordable housing for veterans, in a meaningful way, demonstrating through real action that we value and appreciate their service."
Supporting those who served should never be an afterthought. It should be a national priority.
About us:
Vasey RSL Care:
Vasey RSL Care is Australia's leading provider of ex-service accommodation, care and support, providing veteran-specific services to around 1000 ex-service people of all ages each year, and employing over 750 clinical, care support, veteran services staff and volunteers.
Services include rental units (social housing) for over 320 veterans, war widows and partners at eight city and three regional locations; home care provisions for older Australians wishing to remain in their own home; and residential aged care at four locations – Brighton, Brighton East, Bundoora and Frankston South and The V Centre Veteran Empowerment Program located in Ivanhoe, Victoria.
