Episode 32 - Kate Needham

Protecting Military Families

Delve into the personal and institutional challenges faced by military families as they navigate unhealthy privatized housing. Learn how the nonprofit organization Armed Forces Housing Advocates empowers military families through education, research, and advocacy, and hear the compelling story of the founder’s personal experience with unsafe military housing. Take note of essential tips to keep your family safe and effectively involve your landlord and chain of command by prioritizing mission readiness and documenting communication. Receive an update on the current state of laws and legislation aimed at protecting military families from unhealthy housing.

bio

Kate Needham, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Armed Forces Housing Advocates, is a Navy Veteran, Mom, and wife of an active duty service member. She started her career in criminal justice, educating and advocating for youth and adult survivors of domestic violence and eventually educating perpetrators on how to break the cycle and lead with safe relationships. She then moved on to serve in the U.S. Navy, where she continued her passion for advocacy work, volunteering as a SAPR advocate. Fast-forward to 2020, Kate’s child experienced a near-fatal accident in privatized military housing. After working through the traumatic experience with her family, she banded together with three other women who also had complex issues with privatized military housing to open their nonprofit, Armed Forces Housing Advocates. Intending to end the substandard living conditions service members and their families experience, Kate has forged ahead with an incredible team of volunteers to assist over 1,800 families and endeavors to move the needle on rebuilding the Military Housing Privatization Initiative, ensuring all military members and their families are afforded the habitable housing they deserve. At AFHA, Kate and her team understand that readiness starts with a safe home!