Who is Yvette Jones - Swanson, M.A. · VetMentors Housing University

Who is Yvette Jones - Swanson, M.A.

America's Premier Learning Community for Veteran Housing Professionals

Building Communities. Restoring Lives. Creating Housing Opportunities.

Welcome to the Movement

Welcome to VetMentors Housing University™.

Whether you are a veteran, REALTOR®, housing navigator, case manager, investor, nonprofit leader, lender, developer, property manager, government professional, or community advocate, you are now part of a national movement committed to creating lasting housing opportunities for those who served our nation.

This is more than an online learning community.

It is a professional university built upon education, collaboration, leadership, innovation, and proven housing strategies.

Our mission is simple:

Building Communities. Restoring Lives. Creating Housing Opportunities.

Everything you'll learn inside this university has been developed through more than two decades of real-world experience helping veterans move from homelessness to stable housing, homeownership, and long-term success.

Welcome to the movement.

I Understand Because I Lived It

I don't teach veteran housing because I simply studied it.

I teach it because I lived it.

As a former homeless Army veteran, I understand the fear, uncertainty, and barriers many veterans experience after military service.

That experience became the foundation for a lifelong mission to ensure that other veterans have access to safe housing, quality education, meaningful resources, and opportunities to rebuild their lives.

This work is not simply my profession.

It is my purpose.

Meet Your Instructor

My name is Yvette Jones-Swanson, M.A.

I proudly serve as:

Army Veteran
Founder & CEO, VetMentors LLC
Founder, VetMentors Housing University™
National Veterans Homeless Housing Advocate
Housing Strategist & Consultant
Illinois Licensed REALTOR®
Illinois Licensed Real Estate Instructor
Military Relocation Professional (MRP)
Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR)
National Speaker
Published Author
National Subject Matter Expert on Veteran Homelessness and Housing

For more than 25 years, I have dedicated my career to helping veterans secure housing while educating the professionals who serve them.

Why Learn From Me?

When you join VetMentors Housing University™, you're learning from someone who has spent decades doing the work—not simply talking about it.

Professional Experience

25+ years serving homeless veterans and military families.
5,000+ veterans helped obtain stable housing and homeownership opportunities.
1,000+ professional workshops, seminars, and educational programs conducted nationwide.
200+ veteran housing workshops personally facilitated at the Forest Park Vet Center during more than 13 years of service.
Educational programs delivered for VA Medical Centers, Vet Centers, Chicago City Colleges, universities, municipalities, correctional facilities, faith-based organizations, housing authorities, government agencies, REALTOR® associations, and community organizations throughout the United States.
Creator of 1,000+ educational YouTube videos with nearly one million views.
Author of the VetMentors Educational Guidebook Series and multiple books on veteran housing, homeownership, and collaborative housing solutions.

Everything taught inside this university comes directly from real-world experience.

National Recognition & Leadership

My work has been recognized nationally because of a lifelong commitment to serving veterans and advancing housing solutions.

National Leadership

National Subject Matter Expert (SME) on Veteran Homelessness and Housing for Mission Roll Call.
Author of 20+ nationally published articles and stories on veteran homelessness and housing since January 2026.
National consultant, educator, trainer, and speaker on veteran housing systems and collaborative housing solutions.

National Media Features

Featured by:

PBS – The Whitney Reynolds Show
WGN-TV Chicago
NewsNation
WVON Radio
Additional television, radio, podcast, and print media throughout the United States.

Awards & Recognition

2026 American Red Cross Military Hero Award
Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs 2025 Women Veteran Leader
Mainstreet Organization of REALTORS® President's Award (2025)
Recipient of numerous community leadership and public service awards recognizing excellence in veteran advocacy, housing education, leadership, and community service.

Who This Community Is For

VetMentors Housing University™ was designed for professionals who want to create lasting change.

This community welcomes:

Veterans & Military Families
REALTORS®
Housing Navigators
Case Managers
Social Workers
Housing Counselors
Mortgage Professionals
Lenders
Investors
Developers & Builders
Property Managers
Landlords
Veteran Service Organizations
Nonprofit Organizations
Faith-Based Organizations
Government Agencies
Universities & Colleges
Community Leaders

If your mission is to expand housing opportunities for veterans, you belong here.

What You'll Learn

Inside VetMentors Housing University™, you'll gain practical knowledge that can immediately be applied in your community.

Courses include:

Collaborative Housing Solutions for Homeless Veterans
Finding Home
A REALTOR'S Blueprint
Veteran Shared Living Models
Veterans Buying Real Estate Guide
Veteran Housing Business Development
Homeownership Strategies
Housing Program Development
Community Partnerships
Affordable Housing
Veteran Resource Navigation
Housing Compliance
Leadership Development
Real Estate Opportunities
Veteran Housing Systems

What You'll Receive

As a member you'll receive:

Comprehensive online courses
Educational guidebooks
Downloadable workbooks (coming soon)
Professional templates
Checklists
Resource library
Monthly Live Q&A sessions
Exclusive interviews with industry leaders
Private networking community
Course updates
Lifetime access to purchased courses
Continuing education and professional development resources

This university continues to grow as new training, books, interviews, and educational resources are added.

What You'll Be Able To Do

After completing these courses, you'll be equipped to:

Help veterans obtain rental housing.
Increase sustainable veteran homeownership.
Build collaborative housing partnerships.
Develop veteran housing initiatives.
Work effectively with REALTORS®, landlords, and property managers.
Strengthen relationships with VA programs and community organizations.
Launch veteran-focused housing programs.
Expand your business while serving your community.
Become a recognized leader in veteran housing.

My Promise to You

When you join VetMentors Housing University™, you're not simply purchasing education.

You're becoming part of a national professional community committed to sharing proven systems, practical strategies, and real-world experience.

Every lesson...

Every workbook...

Every interview...

Every live Q&A...

Every downloadable resource...

has one purpose:

To equip you with the knowledge, confidence, leadership, and tools necessary to create measurable housing opportunities for veterans and military families.

Together We Can Change Lives

No one organization can solve veteran homelessness alone.

It takes collaboration.

It takes education.

It takes leadership.

It takes people who are willing to invest in learning so they can better serve others.

Together we will educate.

Together we will collaborate.

Together we will build stronger communities.

Together we will restore lives.

Together we will create housing opportunities for generations of veterans to come.

Welcome to VetMentors Housing University™.