Oklahoma Native American Veterans go from homeless to housed

The words “homeless” and “Veteran” should not exist together, and ensuring Veterans have access to services that can help them with homelessness is amongst VA’s top priorities.

Homelessness among Native American Veterans is of special focus for VA as Native Americans serve in the military at higher rates than other subpopulations of Americans. But part of accessing these services is being aware of them. It’s crucial for VA to make Veterans aware of the services they have access to, particularly when it comes to VA’s homeless assistance resources.   

This month is National Native American Heritage Month which acknowledges the history and critical contributions of Native people along with Native American Heritage Day (November 24) when their rich culture, accomplishments and heritage are honored and celebrated.

In honor of that, we’re proud to spotlight our video series From Homeless to Housed: Stories From Native American Veterans Assisted Through VA. This video features the inspiring stories of Native American Veterans in Oklahoma who overcame homelessness after becoming aware of and accessing services through VA’s programs.

“I found out that just being a Veteran allowed me opportunities that I didn’t know about before. And it’s changed my life, really.” – Michael Scroggins,  Marine Veteran, Choctaw Nation.

Resources that help Veterans live independently and thrive

While many Native American Veterans experiencing homelessness are hesitant to reach out to VA for help, those who do learn about the incredible impact VA can have on their lives. Not only does this support assist Veterans in exiting homelessness but it provides them with access to additional resources that can help them live independently and thrive.  

There are a full range of VA homeless assistance resources specifically for Veterans, including the HUD-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program. HUD-VASH provides Veterans experiencing homelessness with intensive case management, long-term rental subsidies that make housing affordable and supportive services to aid their housing stability.

While the standard HUD-VASH program serves all eligible Veterans experiencing homelessness, VA identified barriers to serving Native American Veterans (such as jurisdiction issues) who wished to live in the Indian reservation communities where their natural support systems were located. To address these barriers, VA and HUD developed Tribal HUD-VASH in 2015.

Tribal HUD-VASH awards hybrid Indian Housing Block Grants to tribes or tribally designated housing entities to provide rental assistance for Veterans and their households experiencing homelessness. Unlike standard HUD-VASH, Tribal HUD-VASH also expands eligibility to Native American Veterans at risk of homelessness. The program also provides them with case management to assist them with obtaining and sustaining housing, and achieving their personal goals.

“I would recommend any Veteran to utilize the programs VA offers,” said Scroggins. “They’re not going to leave a Veteran behind.”

VA is committed to ensuring Native American Veterans and their families are aware of and can utilize all benefits and services they are entitled to receive. And those who have experienced the impact of these services and programs know how powerfully it can change their lives, moving from a state of uncertainty to one of stability and hope for a brighter future.  

Learn about VA programs

If you are a Veteran who is homeless or at risk for homelessness, call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-4AID-VET (877-424-3838).

Share our brochure on Resources for Native American Veterans Experiencing Homelessness.

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.

Learn how to get involved with housing homeless Veterans.

For more stories like these, subscribe to the Homeless Programs Office newsletter to receive monthly updates about programs and supportive services for Veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness.