In 2009, President Obama and VA Secretary Shinseki announced the goal of ending Veteran homelessness by the end of 2015. Together with partners and supporters nationwide, VA is determined to meet that challenge through the Homeless Veterans Outreach Initiative.

As a part of that effort, VA has increased programs and funding to help Veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless get back on their feet. Through programs like Compensated Work Therapy and the Homeless Veteran Support Employment Program, VA assists Veterans return to competitive employment by offering vocational assistance, job development and placement, and other necessary tools for success.

To help with the housing needs of Veterans and their families, VA also provides grants and other funding to help public and nonprofit organizations establish and operate supportive housing and service centers through the Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program. For Veterans at risk of becoming homeless, the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program provides grants and technical assistance to organizations that help keep Veterans and their families in their homes.

Beyond housing and employment, VA has also taken steps to address the health care needs of homeless and at risk Veterans. The Health Care for Homeless Program, with more than 135 sites, offers outreach, exams, treatment, and referrals for Veterans dealing with mental health issues while the Homeless Patient Aligned Care Teams Program provides a coordinated medical home specifically tailored to the needs of homeless Veterans that integrates clinical care with delivery of social services.

Learn about the various programs and services VA offers homeless and at risk Veterans here and contact VA’s National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838) to receive support and assistance now.

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7 Comments

  1. Reynaldo Jimenez May 13, 2013 at 18:34

    This program is full of hot air here in Pensacola, Florida. You have to be on drugs or an alcoholic to receive any assistance I have been trying since August of last year to get some type of help to get back on my feet to no avail since I’m not a drug abuser or an alcoholic guess what no help for me. I have been calling and leaving messages because it is hard for me to get to the va and have not recieved a response all I asked because I have never gone thru this before is just a little assistance to get me back on my feet and they won’t but I know of people they have helped numerous times and have gotten kicked out of the program numerous times because of drug and alcohol. But like I said if you are straight and narrow you will not be helped point blank period

  2. August May 8, 2013 at 15:28

    Why can’t the VA place the homeless veterans into IMMEDIATE REGULAR HOUSING instead of those PRISON-LIKE & ALL-CONTROLLING mandatory 12-Step religious AA/NA cult Insane Asylums with 24/7 babysitting and NO PRIVACY?

  3. doug May 1, 2013 at 12:49

    What a load of BS,,I was homeless in 2002 and sick.VA put me on Pension,,I get a letter last week saying they will cut my pension to$1038 a month,,I suppose I would do great if I lived in a tent !

  4. Joseph Simpson April 30, 2013 at 19:27

    The VA has caused a great deal of the homelessness as a direct result of the actions of VA Regional Offices, VA Officials and in many cases the actions of VA employees with the claims process, appeals and BVA remands that sit for several years in the hope that vets give up or die. I have seen first hand the worst of the worst as someone who was active in my community and as a disabled veteran. I have been waiting over 9 years for a claim that was BVA remanded in 2009 and still No Action on the part of Philadelphia Regional. I may lose my home on May 7, 2013 without some help and I have my 82 yr old mother the widow of a WWII veteran with me so this involves her too. I am so fed up with the BS the VA feeds the American public on what they are doing when in fact nothing gets done or it will take years. We do not have years to wait and more vets will die or become homeless thanks to the VA and the lack of accountability until more vets get fed up enough to do something and say enough and march into Washington and shut it down until something is done. we as veterans and military need to bring out the Truth and Demand action Now. Veterans are suffering as a direct result of the Dept Of Vet affairs and VA Officials and employees who receive illegal bonus money for not doing their job or the right thing.

    • doug May 1, 2013 at 12:52

      Thanks for taking the time to post that Joseph,,,I’m close to the page your on,,,denials appeals 3 minute C&Ps pure BS,,

  5. Martha C. Setlock April 30, 2013 at 16:59

    I work with the VOA in the Cleveland area and do a lot for the homeless veterans at the Veterans Resource Center. My AL Auxiliary Unit 214 has parties for them as well as cookouts and take them gifts at Christmas. We also take them clothing and small appliances during the year.
    Is there anything else I could be doing to help do away with the homelessness of veterans. My heart breaks for them each time I see them and talk to them.

    • sandy lafleur May 13, 2013 at 19:36

      I was going homeless when hud vash stepped in and got us housing. I am living with my ex-wife because I couldn’t afford child support . I am disable according to the Dr. but not according to social security. My ex. is working but barely makes enough to get by. You have to have some kind of income to live in a hud vash home. We are not able to pay our electric due to a pause in her employment. besides churches and community services that never seem to have money when we need it what can we do to keep our housing ? Case worker no help.

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