Housing and Homelessness

Due to a major expansion of a joint HUD-VA program that provides rental-assistance vouchers for permanent housing linked with counseling, case management, and medical services through VA hospitals and community centers, there has been a major decrease in veterans who are homeless in the past five years. However, numbers of homeless veterans ages 18-24 are increasing, especially among women and minority veterans.

Cities and counties have risen to the challenge. Here are some examples of how to combat veteran homelessness and provide the resources to those who have served their country:

  • Salt Lake City, Utah, in 2012, public and private organizations met to discuss ways to reduce homelessness. Shelter providers noted that some homeless veterans would always be reluctant to show up at the local VA hospital. In response, VA staff moved their operations to a homeless shelter a few days a week where they stood a better chance of interacting with the people who needed their help.
  • Bernalillo County, New Mexico, Henderson House, for women veterans and their families, is a supportive transitional living facility. The project is the first of its kind in the nation and has been recognized as a model for the country by First Lady Michelle Obama, the US Senate, and US House of Representatives.
  • Eugene, Oregon, organized municipal and community stakeholders to explore ways for the community to address the challenges that veterans face in transitioning to civilian life, which led to the Veterans’ Housing Project (VHP). The VHP provides up to two years of affordable housing to veterans and their families to help them reintegrate into the civilian world. To keep costs down, low-cost and often distressed properties are acquired and rehabilitated. Having veterans live in and care for these homes improves the neighborhood and local economy.

Resources and Programs

Topics

Veterans