Women Veterans have served worldwide for decades, yet they often return home to a severe lack of housing. This shortage makes transitioning to civilian life and pursuing new careers incredibly difficult. They urgently need access to safe and affordable housing.

Women’s Veterans Housing is a project of United Veterans Services (UVS), a non-profit committed to walking alongside women who served our country and now face the possibility of having nowhere safe to sleep at night. We have a blueprint for a state-of-the-art triplex that will provide housing for 3 women veterans as they transition into new careers. Our goal is to build communities in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and repeat this process across the country. We need your help to make this housing project a reality. Funding and vouchers from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD-VA) and veteran services will be critical in making this project possible. The following information provides more details about our organization and the project for both public and private donors.

How did Women’s Veterans Housing Start?

As a fellow veteran, I know firsthand the challenges our service members face. My name is Joseph Gaul, and as a proud Marine who served in Vietnam from 1966 to 1972, my heart has always been with my fellow veterans. I’m also the president of United Veterans Enterprises, LLC, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Non-Profit Corporation.

For over 35 years, I’ve dedicated my career to real estate as a Broker, Agent, Appraiser, Builder, and Consultant. This experience, combined with my passion for helping veterans, led me to research the housing crisis affecting our community. It was through this research that I was shocked to discover a severe nationwide housing shortage for all veterans—and an almost non-existent one for our women veterans. This is a problem we need to fix.

What makes this project different?

This isn’t just a housing project; it’s a lifeline. The Women Veterans Housing project will provide 16 female veterans with more than just a roof over their heads—it will offer them a secure, stable, and affordable place to call home during their critical transition to civilian life. (2015 VA report)

We know that far too many of our sisters in service are one step away from homelessness. That’s why, once our building is up and running, we will immediately enroll in the Veterans Administration Supportive Housing (VASH) program. This vital partnership will allow us to provide housing vouchers for those veterans who are most at risk, ensuring they have a safe place to land and the support they need to get back on their feet. This project is about restoring hope and dignity to those who have sacrificed so much for our nation.

How big is the need?

As women veterans transition from military to civilian life, they face unique challenges that often put them at risk. Research shows that the number of homeless women veterans is on the rise, driven by issues like unemployment, low income, and disabilities. According to the National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics, these veterans often struggle with additional burdens such as military sexual trauma, poor health, and anxiety disorders.

While the VA provides caseworkers to offer personal support, what is critically needed is safe and affordable housing. A stable home is the foundation that allows these women to access the help they need to heal, succeed, and transition back into society with dignity.

• There are 70,000 women veterans in Pennsylvania, and there are limited veteran-focused transitional housing options in the state.
• This first UVS property in Bristol, PA, will house three women veterans at time, with each guest able to stay for up to 24 months.
• UVS will partner with the Veterans Administration (VA) to identify women veterans who need housing.
• HUD VA vouchers will be available to help residents pay rent, which will support the long-term sustainability of the program.
• This triplex is intended to be the first location, with a long-term vision of opening multiple properties that serve more women veterans in need of transitional housing.

What building/structure will be used?

For our initial effort we will be renovating an existing triplex structure in Bristol, PA.  

What other funding sources are being explored?

While your support is critical to the launch of this project, ongoing funding will be required to complete and maintain this housing project. 

This housing project is eligible for crucial funding through the VA’s Grant and Per Diem (GPD) program. This program provides financial support for operational costs, including salaries.

Here’s how the funding works:

• Supportive Housing: The program offers a daily per diem rate of up to $68.64 per veteran housed. While veterans may be asked to pay rent, it cannot exceed 30% of their adjusted monthly income.

• Supportive Services: The GPD program also provides funding for support services not covered by the per diem. The maximum rate is $8.58 per hour, with a limit of eight hours per day per veteran.