August 28, 2023

VA awards $1 billion to boost homeless veteran programs

By The American Legion
Homeless Veterans
VA awards $1 billion to boost homeless veteran programs
VA awards $1 billion to boost homeless veteran programs

VA also reports that it is on track to achieve its goal of housing 38,000 homeless veterans in 2023.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today more than $1 billion in grants to help homeless and at-risk veterans through the Supportive Services for Veteran Families and Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem programs.

Additionally, VA announced it has permanently housed 26,470 veterans through July, on pace to exceed its goal of housing 38,000 homeless veterans this year.

Under the Supportive Services for Veteran Families program, VA is awarding 256 grants totaling about $799 million to community organizations that help rapidly rehouse veterans and their families, prevent the imminent loss of veterans’ homes, or identify more suitable housing situations for veterans and their families. 

Through the Grant and Per Diem program, VA is awarding 454 grants totaling about $257 million to community organizations that provide veterans with transitional housing and case management — including connecting veterans to VA benefits, community-based services, and permanent housing.

Ending veteran homelessness is a top priority for VA and the Biden-Harris administration. In 2022 alone, VA housed more than 40,000 formerly homeless veterans, prevented more than 17,700 veterans and their families from falling into homelessness, and helped nearly 191,700 additional veteran families who were experiencing financial difficulties retain their homes or avoid foreclosure. Thanks in part to these efforts, the number of veterans experiencing homelessness has fallen by 11% since early 2020 and by more than 55% since 2010.

“We won’t rest until every veteran has the safe, stable home that they deserve – because none of our nation’s heroes should be homeless in this country they fought to defend,”  VA Secretary Denis McDonough said. “These grants will allow VA, alongside our community partners, to help provide more housing and wraparound services to more homeless and at-risk veterans than ever before.”

If you are a veteran who is experiencing homelessness or at risk for homelessness, call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838. Visit the VA Homeless Programs website to learn about housing initiatives and other programs for veterans exiting homelessness.

  • Homeless Veterans