The Military Family Research Institute (MFRI) at Purdue University is excited to announce the release of its latest Measuring Communities Report, titled “Measuring Communities Spotlight Report: The Financial Well-Being of Military and Veteran Families in the United States.” The report, which provides data and insights on the state of military-connected communities in the United States, was unveiled today during a virtual launch event.
The information featured in the report comes from MFRI’s Measuring Communities data portal, which acts not just as the framework for the report, but also a foundational tool for military-connected thought leaders across the nation. The “Measuring Communities Spotlight Report” delves into five domains from the data portal: demographics, community, financial, housing and employment.
Key findings from this year’s report include:
- Food insecurity remains a national concern for military families, especially among minorities and families with junior enlisted members or unemployed spouses.
- Homelessness is rising among veterans, with a noticeable difference in rates among men compared to among women.
- Women veterans with service-connected disabilities experienced rising unemployment rates between 2022 to 2023.
This year’s report is different from previous versions of the Measuring Communities report; MFRI is changing the way it shares insights into the military-connected community. MFRI is creating the Measuring Communities Spotlight Report series to offer a more focused analysis of the key areas affecting the lives of military and veteran families. This report is the first installment of the new series.
“We’re excited for the Measuring Communities Spotlight Reports and are looking forward to the ways in which this more thorough report will allow us to better educate and equip the leaders, advocates and professionals around the country who work with military and veteran populations,” said Shelley MacDermid Wadsworth, MFRI director and Distinguished Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Science in Purdue’s College of Health and Human Sciences. “This report provides invaluable insights into the lives of military-connected families and is a vital resource in the development and implementation of programs that support them.”
The launch event highlighted key trends and findings in the report and featured speakers from MFRI and the National Military Family Association. A full recording of the event can be found on MFRI’s YouTube channel. Measuring Communities Spotlight Report: The Financial Well-Being of Military and Veteran Families in the United States is now available for download.
About Measuring Communities
Measuring Communities is a free, online tool that combines data from more than 30 government and non-profit sources to provide users with robust metrics to assist them with important policy, programming and funding decisions. It offers data all the way down to the county level, allowing professionals anywhere in the nation to learn about the current needs of military and veteran families, as well as how military-connected communities are changing over time.
About MFRI
The Military Family Research Institute (MFRI) at Purdue University conducts research on issues that affect military and veteran families and works to shape policies, programs and practices that improve their well-being. Founded in 2000, MFRI envisions a diverse support community that understands the most pressing needs of military and veteran families. To achieve this, MFRI collaborates to create meaningful solutions for them. This internationally recognized organization is housed in Purdue University’s College of Health and Human Sciences, in the Department of Human Development and Family Science.