Overview

An estimated one-third of the adult homeless population have donned a uniform and served in the military. VA estimates that roughly 131,000 Veterans are homeless on any given night, with perhaps twice that experiencing homelessness at some period over the course of a year.  Many other Veterans are considered near homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. 

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is taking decisive action to end Veteran homelessness in five years.  All Veterans at risk for homelessness or attempting to exit homelessness must have easy access to programs and services including Prevention, Housing Support, Treatment, Employment and Job Training. 

If you are a Veteran who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, you can contact the National VA Call Center at 1-877-424-3838, or contact VA online through the Homeless Veterans Chat service.

VA Programs & Services

The VA offers a range of programs and services designed to help homeless Veterans live as self-sufficiently and independently as possible including outreach, clinical assessment and referral to medical treatment, employment assistance, and supported permanent housing.

Visit the VA Homeless Veterans Website to find more information on:

• Prevention Services (Including the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans, Veteran Justice Outreach, and Supportive Services for Low Income Veterans)
• Housing Support Services (Including The Department of Housing and Urban Development and VA’s Supported Housing Program (HUD-VASH) and The Grant and Per Diem Program)
• Treatment (Including Healthcare for Homeless Veterans Program (HCHV), Healthcare for Re-entry (HCRV), Drop-in Centers and Domiciliary Care Program)
• Employment/Job Training (Compensated Work Therapy)
• Benefits/Other Services
• Other Resources

You can also find a Homeless Veteran Coordinator/Program by State.

• MakeTheConnection.net: Visit this site to view hundreds of stories from Veterans of all service eras who have overcome mental health challenges. MakeTheConnection.net is a one-stop resource where Veterans and their families and friends can privately explore information on mental health issues, hear fellow Veterans and their families share their stories of resilience, and easily find and access the support and resources they need.
  • Watch video testimonials from Veterans who have overcome mental health challenges, and to find information on homelessness and resources for support.
  
  

Articles & Fact Sheets

Articles

• VA’s “Wide Path” Out of Homelessness: There are many roads to homelessness. But the path back is wide…with a lot of help along the way. Vic Modesto is a Veteran who has made that trip…the hard way. We’ll tell you his story.

Other Resources

• The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development*: Provides information specific to Homelessness* such as, local homeless assistance, housing counseling and information for homeless Veterans (HUDVet). HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all.
• National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV)*: Provides information for Homeless Veterans, Employment Assistance, Support for Homeless Veteran Service Providers and more.NCHV is the resource and technical assistance center for a national network of community-based service providers and local, state and federal agencies that provide emergency and supportive housing, food, health services, job training and placement assistance, legal aid and case management support for hundreds of thousands of homeless Veterans each year.
• Homelessness Resource Center (HRC)*: HRC is an interactive community of providers, consumers, policymakers, researchers, and public agencies at the federal, state, and local level that share state-of-the art knowledge and promising practices to prevent and end homelessness. Their mission is to improve the lives of people affected by homelessness who have mental health conditions, substance use issues, and histories of trauma.