This past February, Secretary Denis McDonough announced VA’s new goal to place at least 38,000 homeless Veterans into permanent housing by Dec. 31, 2022.
That’s nearly the total number of Veterans reported in the 2020 Point-in-Time count. Or to put it another way, that’s a few hundred more people than Fenway Park can hold.
Take a moment to visualize it: A stadium full of Veterans who will finally have a place to call home. That’s something we can all cheer for.
With less four months to go, how is VA doing?
Rallying to 100%
As of August 30, 2022, VA has achieved 26,554 permanent housing placements, meeting 70% of the goal. VA’s homeless programs are averaging 3,319 placements each month.
To meet the goal by the end of the year, we need to continue to place 2,862 Veterans into permanent housing each month through Dec. 31, 2022.
How the 38,000 Goal helps us end Veteran homelessness
Ending Veteran homelessness remains a top priority for VA and we have made significant progress over the last 12 years.
Since 2010, Veteran homelessness has been reduced by nearly half. More than 966,000 Veterans and their family members have been permanently housed or have had their homelessness prevented. Not only that, but 83 communities and 3 states have achieved an effective end to Veteran homelessness.
However, data show that our progress has stalled. While Veteran homelessness declined by 47% between 2010 and 2016, it only declined by 6% between 2016 and 2020. While there were many factors that have contributed to the stall, the most impactful factors were increases in rental costs paired with decreases in the availability of affordable housing.
VA’s 38,000 goal not only helps more Veterans find safe and stable housing but it also helps our communities’ homelessness service systems get “back in shape” doing what they do best: ending Veteran homelessness.
How you can help (or get help)
If you are a Veteran who is homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness, call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at (877) 4AID-VET (877-424-3838). It’s staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with trained counselors who will connect you to your nearest VA medical center for help.
If you are a Veteran landlord with housing units interested in renting to your fellow Veterans, visit our landlords page to learn more.
Learn about VA Programs
- Visit the VA Homeless Programs website to learn about housing initiatives and other programs for Veterans exiting homelessness.
- Check out the Ending Veteran Homelessness podcast to learn more about what VA is doing about Veteran homelessness.
- For more stories like these, visit the HPO website and subscribe to the Homeless Programs Office newsletter to receive monthly updates about programs and supportive services for Veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
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I am a Homeless Veteran and I still do not have a Permanent home. Currently I am on the Psych Ward in Brockton Va Medical center because of a dispute with another Veteran at 17 Court st New England Home for Veterans. 8. I have applied for HUD-Vash way back in May 2022 and I have not been contacted by them to see where I am on the list. If I do get a Voucher it would help me build a secure stable foundation Home for my future so that I don’t end up on the streets again.
when it comes a lot of the Banks and sellers won’t honor the Government home loan, or you Guys are getting out bid flat out by the ones that will by people who have the money to do so and that’s who they’re choosing even though the Government loan is for sure money. Than when it comes to the rentals the prices are so high and when the appraisal from the government says their property isn’t worth the money than the there is a long holding pattern and it’s a hotel as long as the vet can pay or if there are resources available and the rest end up in the streets and even on drugs witch makes it even harder to get em off the streets. I’m also watching everybody get so darn frustrated with the Hud -Vash that some are almost ready to give up and when then you end up with disgruntled homeless vets and that can be dangerous in a city when you consider the fact about the whole being trained. I’m why don’t believe that in some cities the housing resources are pretty much dried up.
More BS. I recently got another letter from the VA stating there are no more HUD-VASH vouchers available. Two plus years now and no help, no indication of someone trying to help. Can’t afford the gas to travel anywhere and just a matter of time before the electricity and propane gets shut off.
Now there are all those Veterans in Florida who have lost their homes and all those homeless Veterans in California who have been waiting for years to get help. The VA must be waiting for us old Veterans to die because we are too much trouble to help. If your a rural Vet you are not even on the VA’s radar.