Massachusetts Veteran Needs Assessment: During the Pandemic and Beyond

This report highlights veteran experiences and needs in health, housing stability, financial stability, and social support. This needs assessment’s original focus was on veterans not yet in acute need but who could benefit from interventions not currently available. However, since research was ongoing when the pandemic hit, it also provides a valuable snapshot of unexpected, acute, and developing needs related to the global crisis. By analyzing the life circumstances and needs of Massachusetts veterans through phone interviews, interviews with key stakeholders and community leaders, and publicly available data, this report lays out how COVID-19 has affected the local veteran community. Expected trends in the veteran population of Massachusetts are projected into the future to facilitate the agencies and organizations dedicated to serving veterans, otherwise known as the “sea of goodwill,” in the Commonwealth to plan for anticipated needs.

Additionally, the needs assessment highlights the difference in perception between what resources are available to veterans and what resources veterans are actually aware of and use. It also offers recommendations for veteran-serving organizations to expand their outreach to improve awareness among the populations they serve. To better provide services and assistance to the veteran community, it is critical to match expectations with reality. While stakeholders and leaders may be aware of the resources their specific organizations offer, the interview results indicate that most veterans are simply not aware of their eligibility or the resources available, which in effect diminishes the support. By refining outreach techniques to reach a broader segment of the veteran community, organizations can spread a wider net and ultimately better assist veterans.

Several caveats limit this research and needs assessment. Primary source research from local veterans in Western Massachusetts was limited, and therefore secondary research was used to supplement. Much of the background research is based on publicly available data that was collected prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic; the landscape has changed significantly for both veterans and nonveterans. Health, housing, education, finances, and social interactions all have been dramatically affected by the public health crisis. These limitations offer opportunities for future research relevant to Massachusetts veterans.

This assessment takes a holistic look at the lives of veterans and their families, concentrating on four interconnected life domains, all of which can be affected by interventions: health, financial stability, housing, and social support. Given the prevalence of colleges and universities in Massachusetts, higher education is also given particular attention. Looking at the experiences and needs of all veterans, the focus covers generations, gender, racial and ethnic identity, sexual orientation and gender identity, and student veterans. The report examines the needs of veterans across Massachusetts with an emphasis on the greater Boston region, due to population density and geographic location. Data for specific veteran subpopulations in Massachusetts was not always available; when necessary, nationwide data is used as a baseline.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the many individuals and organizations that have contributed to and inspired the development of this research. In addition, the authors extend their gratitude to John Boerstler and Rajeev Ramchand for their time reviewing the report. The research team extends their thanks to James Santos for his insights. Finally, the authors express their sincere appreciation to CNAS colleagues Melody Cook, Maura McCarthy, and Emma Swislow for their time and attention in supporting the work.

This report was made possible with support from Brighton Marine. The views presented here are those of the authors and not necessary those of Brighton Marine or its directors, officers, and staff.

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