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Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs

Veteran Homelessness

VA has made ending Veteran homelessness by the end of 2015 a top priority, undertaking an unprecedented campaign to dramatically increase awareness of VA services available for homeless Veterans and Veterans at risk of becoming homeless. Learn more about VA's award-winning programs and partnerships that help Vets and their families find homes.

"We have more work to do and will not be satisfied until no Veteran has to sleep on the street. The success we have achieved is directly attributable to the hard work by all of our staff, and the federal, state, and community partners who are committed to ending Veteran homelessness."
~ Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.

Homeless Veterans Quick Facts

  • The 2012 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress, prepared by HUD, estimates there were 62,619 homeless Veterans on a single night in January in the United States, a 7.2 percent decline since 2011 and a 17.2 percent decline since 2009.
  • While the number of homeless people in the U.S. dropped by less than 1 percent, according to the 2012 AHAR, Veteran homelessness has shown a more robust decline.
  • Each year, VA provides health care to almost 150,000 homeless Veterans and other services to over 112,000 Veterans through its specialized homeless programs.
  • This year, VA announced the availability of $300 million in grants as part of the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program for community organizations, estimated to serve approximately 70,000 Veterans and their family members facing homelessness.
  • Through September 2012, SSVF has aided approximately 21,500 Veterans and over 35,000 individuals.
  • Since SSVF is able to help the Veteran's family, 8,826 children were also assisted, helping Veterans keep their families housed and together.

Annual Point in Time Count

Graph showing results from the annual Pit count

This chart shows the number of sheltered and unsheltered homeless Veterans during the annual Point in Time Count spearheaded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Recent Photos

Check out photos of VA's Homeless Veterans Initiative at work

Secretary Shinsheki and a homeless Veteran2012 Point in Time Count

During the last week of January, the Department of Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development, and local agencies across the country joined in a Point-in-Time Count—to get a statistically reliable, unduplicated count of sheltered and unsheltered homeless Veterans, individuals and families in the U.S. The photographs below capture the PIT count in San Diego, Calif.

Deputy Secretary Gould and Bon JoviVA Teams up with Bon Jovi for Homeless Vet Provider App

On June 5,2012 the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) joined The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Jon Bon Jovi, Chairman of JBJ Soul Foundation, to announce the five finalists of Project REACH (Real-time Electronic Access for Caregivers and the Homeless).

Secretary Shinsheki and a homeless VeteranSecretary Shinseki at Winterhaven

On January 22, 2011, Secretary and Mrs. Shinseki greeted and met some of the more than 400 metropolitan area homeless Veterans at the VA medical center's annual Winterhaven Homeless Stand Down in Washington, DC.

Secretary Shinsheki and a homeless VeteranWalk and Roll Event to End Homelessness

On June 2, 2011 VA held the first national VA 2K Walk & Roll event. This event showcased VA's Wellness Is Now (WIN) employee health program to get employees moving and to benefit homeless Veterans. Deputy Secretary, W. Scott Gould, Deputy Assistant Secretary for OHRM, Tonya Deanes and the VA Health and Wellness team kicked-off the walk, which had over 400 employees participating.

Media Center

VA's Homeless Initiative in the News


Press Release

  • VA Approves $28 Million in Grants for Homeless Vets - The Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced that a new national report shows that homelessness among Veterans has been reduced by approximately 7 percent between January 2011 and January 2012.
  • VA Announces New Grants to Help End Veteran Homelessness - Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced today the award of nearly $100 million in grants that will help approximately 42,000 homeless and at-risk Veterans and their families. The grants are going to 151 community agencies in 49 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
  • VA Announces Partnership to House 10,000 Homeless Veterans in 2012- The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced that it will collaborate with the "100,000 Homes" Campaign and its 117 participating communities to help find permanent housing for 10,000 vulnerable and chronically homeless Veterans this year.

 


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  • Benefits:
    1-800-827-1000
  • Health Care:
    1-877-222-VETS (8387)
  • VA Inspector General: 1-800-488-8244
  • Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 Press 1

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