Veteran homelessness rarely starts with losing a home. It starts when the support system underneath someone disappears.

Veteran homelessness is more complicated than housing—and Bruce Buckley has spent more than two decades learning what it takes to create lasting stability.

In this conversation, Bruce explains how Soldier On evolved from transitional housing into a comprehensive support system serving thousands of veterans. From furnished permanent housing and mobile SSVF teams to peer support, healthcare navigation, financial literacy, and landlords willing to work alongside veterans, this episode shows what can happen when the goal isn't simply getting someone off the street—it's helping them stay there.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Recognize why homelessness often develops over years, as broken relationships, financial struggles, health challenges, pride, and the loss of a reliable support system begin stacking up.

• Understand why housing alone isn't enough and how Soldier On combines affordable housing with case management, meals, transportation, healthcare coordination, and ongoing support.

• See how mobile SSVF teams reach veterans where they are, including emergency hotel placement, landlord navigation, healthcare assistance, and peer support instead of requiring veterans to find their way through the system alone.

• Learn why Soldier On believes recovery may require multiple attempts, including Bruce's story of a veteran who has experienced repeated alcohol relapses but has retained his housing while continuing to receive treatment and support.

About Bruce Buckley:

Bruce Buckley is President and CEO of Soldier On, a nonprofit dedicated to ending veteran homelessness. Bruce is not a veteran; he is a CPA by training who became involved with Soldier On in 2002, when the organization had only a handful of employees, and eventually developed a deeply personal commitment to the veterans it serves.

Under his leadership, Soldier On has expanded its housing and support programs across Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Bruce also serves as Treasurer of the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans.

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⏱️ EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 — Introduction: The Fight to End Veteran Homelessness
02:23 — How Bruce Buckley Found His Mission at Soldier On
04:54 — Homelessness and the Missing Support System
06:54 — Why Veterans Can Become Vulnerable Years After Service
09:49 — How Soldier On's Housing Model Works
13:00 — From Transitional Housing to Permanent Supportive Housing
17:00 — Meals, Case Management, Transportation & Healthcare
20:42 — Who Qualifies for Soldier On Housing?
23:08 — Responding When a Veteran Needs Housing Now
23:13 — SSVF: Taking Services Directly to Veterans
27:20 — “Serve the Veteran”: The Culture Behind Soldier On
30:06 — Why Hope and Human Connection Matter
31:45 — How Veterans Can Get Help & Additional Resources
34:01 — Closing & Resources

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