Homeless Veteran Programs
Housing assistance, supportive services, and crisis resources for veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness
If You Need Help Right Now
National Call Center for Homeless Veterans
(1-877-424-3838)
Free, confidential, 24/7
Trained counselors available
National Domestic Violence Hotline
For veterans fleeing abuse
Confidential support and safety planning
You do not need to be enrolled in VA healthcare to call. You do not need any paperwork. Just call.
Understanding Veteran Homelessness
On any given night, tens of thousands of veterans are without stable housing. The VA operates the largest network of homeless assistance programs in the country. These programs provide housing, healthcare, job training, legal assistance, and ongoing support.
Whether you are currently homeless, at risk of losing your housing, or trying to help a fellow veteran, the programs below can help. Most do not require VA healthcare enrollment to access, and many are available regardless of discharge status.
HUD-VASH (Housing and Urban Development - VA Supportive Housing)
What It Is
HUD-VASH combines permanent housing vouchers from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) with case management and clinical services from the VA. It is the largest program dedicated to ending veteran homelessness and provides long-term housing stability.
What You Get
- Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8): Covers a significant portion of your rent in private-market housing
- VA Case Manager: A dedicated case manager who helps with housing search, move-in, healthcare, benefits, and ongoing support
- Clinical Services: Access to mental health care, substance abuse treatment, and primary care through the VA
- No time limit: You can keep the voucher as long as you comply with program requirements
Who Is Eligible
- Veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness
- Must be eligible for VA healthcare
- Must meet HUD income requirements (very low income)
- Priority given to veterans with serious mental illness, substance use disorders, or chronic health conditions
How to Apply
- Call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans: 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838)
- Or contact the Homeless Veteran Coordinator at your nearest VA Medical Center
- A VA social worker will assess your situation and eligibility
- If eligible, you'll be referred to the local Public Housing Authority for a voucher
- Your VA case manager will help you find housing that accepts vouchers
SSVF (Supportive Services for Veteran Families)
What It Is
SSVF provides rapid re-housing and homelessness prevention assistance to very low-income veteran families. Unlike HUD-VASH which is a long-term housing voucher, SSVF is designed as short-term assistance to quickly stabilize housing situations. It is administered by community-based organizations funded by VA grants.
What You Get
- Rapid Re-Housing: Help finding and securing housing, including security deposits and first month's rent
- Homelessness Prevention: Short-term rental assistance to prevent eviction
- Utility Assistance: Help paying utility bills and deposits
- Moving Costs: Assistance with moving expenses
- Case Management: Help connecting to VA benefits, healthcare, employment, childcare, and legal services
- Financial Planning: Budgeting and financial literacy assistance
Who Is Eligible
- Veterans and their families
- Very low income (at or below 50% of area median income)
- Currently homeless OR at risk of homelessness (facing eviction, living doubled-up, fleeing domestic violence, etc.)
- Generally available to veterans with any discharge status (varies by provider)
How to Apply
- Call 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838) to be connected to an SSVF provider near you
- Or use the SSVF Provider Locator on VA.gov
- Contact the community organization directly — they handle intake and assessment
- Bring any documentation you have (DD-214, ID, income verification) but don't let missing paperwork stop you from reaching out
GPD (Grant and Per Diem Program)
What It Is
The Grant and Per Diem program funds community-based organizations that provide transitional housing and supportive services to homeless veterans. GPD fills the gap between emergency shelter and permanent housing, providing a stable environment where veterans can work on the underlying issues that contributed to their homelessness.
What You Get
- Transitional Housing: Up to 24 months in a structured residential setting
- Bridge Housing: Short-term housing while waiting for permanent housing placement
- Low-Demand Housing: For veterans who may not be ready for traditional program requirements
- Service-Intensive Transitional Housing: For veterans with complex needs (chronic mental illness, substance abuse, etc.)
- Clinical Liaison: Support connecting housing residents to VA healthcare and mental health services
- Employment Support: Job training, resume help, and employment connections
Who Is Eligible
- Veterans who are homeless
- Must be eligible for VA healthcare
- No income requirements (but designed for those who need transitional support)
How to Apply
- Call 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838)
- Or contact the Homeless Veteran Coordinator at your nearest VA Medical Center
- A VA referral is typically needed but can be arranged quickly
VA Domiciliary Care (Dom Care)
What It Is
VA Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans (DCHV) is a residential rehabilitation program operated directly by the VA within VA Medical Centers. It provides a safe, structured environment with intensive clinical treatment for veterans who are homeless and have medical or psychiatric conditions.
What You Get
- Residential Care: Room, meals, and laundry in a VA facility
- Medical Treatment: Direct access to VA doctors, nurses, and specialists
- Mental Health Care: Individual and group therapy, PTSD treatment, substance abuse programs
- Vocational Rehabilitation: Job skills training and employment preparation
- Benefits Assistance: Help filing VA disability claims and accessing other benefits
- Discharge Planning: Assistance transitioning to permanent housing upon completion
Who Is Eligible
- Veterans who are homeless
- Must be eligible for VA healthcare
- Must have a medical or psychiatric condition that would benefit from residential treatment
- Must be willing to participate in the treatment program
How to Apply
- Contact the Homeless Veteran Coordinator at your nearest VA Medical Center
- You can request a referral from any VA healthcare provider
- Or call 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838)
Stand Down Events
What They Are
Stand Down events are one- to three-day events that bring together community resources in a single location to serve homeless veterans. The name comes from the military term for a period of rest and recovery behind the front lines. These events provide immediate, on-the-spot assistance.
What You Can Get at a Stand Down
- Food and clothing
- Health screenings and basic medical care
- Dental services
- Haircuts and hygiene supplies
- VA benefits counseling and claims assistance
- Social Security assistance
- Housing referrals
- Employment assistance and job fair access
- Legal aid (warrants, child support, benefits appeals)
- Substance abuse and mental health referrals
How to Find One
- Contact your local VA Medical Center's Homeless Veteran Coordinator
- Call 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838)
- Check with local veteran service organizations (VFW, American Legion, DAV)
- Stand Down events are typically held in warmer months and are advertised through local VA facilities and veteran organizations
Additional Programs and Resources
HCHV (Health Care for Homeless Veterans)
Outreach programs that send VA staff into shelters, soup kitchens, and the streets to connect homeless veterans with healthcare and benefits. If you can't get to the VA, these teams come to you.
VRSS (Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program)
Education and employment training for veterans who lost jobs. Covers tuition for high-demand programs and provides a housing allowance during training.
Veteran Justice Outreach (VJO)
For veterans involved in the justice system. VJO specialists work with courts and jails to connect veterans with VA services instead of incarceration, including housing assistance.
Compensated Work Therapy (CWT)
Vocational rehabilitation that provides real job opportunities for veterans in VA and community settings. Participants earn wages while developing work skills.
How to Help a Homeless Veteran
If you know a veteran who is homeless or at risk, here's what you can do:
- Share the number: Give them the National Call Center number: 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838)
- Call on their behalf: You can call the hotline yourself to get information about local resources for them
- Help them get to the VA: Offer a ride to the nearest VA Medical Center and ask to see the Homeless Veteran Coordinator
- Don't assume they know: Many veterans don't know these programs exist or believe they don't qualify. Help spread the word.
- Volunteer: Contact your local VA or veteran service organizations about volunteering at Stand Down events or homeless veteran programs