VA Programs for Homeless Veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has prioritized ending veteran homelessness. The VA has a network of programs and outreach efforts designed to support veterans at risk of becoming homeless.
The VA approach is rooted in a philosophy of “no wrong door,” meaning any veteran seeking help can be connected to the right services regardless of which VA office or community partner they approach. If you or someone you know is at risk of becoming homeless, contact the National Call Center for Veteran Homelessness at 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838).
The VA approach, according to the official site, is three-pronged:
- “Coordinated outreach” meant to seek out veterans needing assistance.
- Connecting homeless and at-risk Veterans with housing, care, and employment.
- Partnering with “federal, state and local agencies; employers; housing providers, faith-based and community nonprofits; and others to expand employment and affordable housing options for Veterans exiting homelessness.”
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How does the VA’s main housing program work?
One of the most significant and successful initiatives is the HUD-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program. This is a collaborative effort between the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the VA.
According to VA.gov, “Through public housing authorities, HUD provides rental assistance vouchers for privately owned housing to Veterans who are experiencing homelessness. ”
VA case managers are available to place vets “with support services such as health care, mental health treatment and substance use counseling to help them in their recovery process and with their ability to maintain housing in the community. Among VA homeless continuum of care programs, HUD-VASH enrolls the largest number and largest percentage of Veterans who have experienced long-term or repeated homelessness.”
What other kinds of support does the VA offer besides rental assistance?
The VA employs a range of other initiatives to engage and support homeless veterans. Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) programs are active in every VA medical center, with staff conducting outreach in shelters, soup kitchens, and on the streets to connect with veterans who might not otherwise seek help.
For veterans who need a more structured living environment, a Grant and Per Diem (GPD) program funds community-based organizations to provide transitional housing with supportive services for up to two years. Recognizing that a job is key to stability, the Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP) and the new Legal Services for Veterans (LSV) program help veterans with employment and legal assistance to overcome barriers to housing.
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What if a veteran is about to become homeless but isn’t yet on the street?
Recognizing that the most effective way to end homelessness is to prevent it, the VA established the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program.
This program offers of “rapid re-housing” and prevention. SSVF provides grants to non-profit organizations that offer direct services to very low-income veteran families. For a family on the brink of losing their home, SSVF can provide short-term financial assistance to cover rent, utilities, or security deposits. The core of SSVF is intensive case management, which develops a housing stability plan and connects the family with resources for long-term self-sufficiency.
I am a veteran, and I’m homeless (or about to be.) What is the first thing I should do?
The most urgent resource is the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans. You can call them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The call is free and confidential, and you will be connected with a trained VA counselor who can provide support and connect you with resources in your local area. The number is 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838). You can also walk into any VA medical center and ask to speak with the Homeless Program Coordinator.
Do these programs actually work?
According to the 2024 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count, a national survey of homelessness, there has been a 7.5% reduction in veteran homelessness since 2023 and an overall decline of 55.6% since 2010. In fiscal year 2024 alone, the VA and its partners permanently housed nearly 48,000 veterans. Critically, over 95% of those veterans remained in their homes, a testament to the effectiveness of the supportive services that accompany housing assistance.
Resources for Homeless Veterans and Those Who Want to Help
- National Call Center for Homeless Veterans 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838). This is the primary, 24/7 contact for a veteran who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. It is also for family members, friends, or community members to share.
- Confidential Online Chat: Visit VA.gov/homeless and look for the online chat link. This is a text-based option for veterans who prefer not to call.
- Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1. Text 838255. This line is for any veteran experiencing an emotional or mental health crisis.
- Local VA Medical Center Go to any VA medical center in person. Ask to speak with the facility’s Homeless Program Coordinator, a social worker, or the Women Veterans Program Manager.
- VA Website for Homeless Veterans: Provides information on all available housing assistance programs, VA benefits, and how to apply.
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About the author
Editor-in-Chief Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter/editor for Air Force Television News and the Pentagon Channel. His freelance work includes contract work for Motorola, VALoans.com, and Credit Karma. He is co-founder of Dim Art House in Springfield, Illinois, and spends his non-writing time as an abstract painter, independent publisher, and occasional filmmaker.
