Isakson-Roe’s huge impact on keeping Veterans housed and healthy

The Isakson-Roe Act was signed into law Jan. 5, 2021, helping Veterans access benefits and causing a ripple effect of positive outcomes throughout their communities.

One section of the law (4201) authorized the VA Secretary to use appropriated funds for life-saving food, shelter, goods and services for homeless Veterans, or those participating in the HUD-VASH program during the Coronavirus public health emergency. While it may seem like a small piece of a much larger puzzle, this section led to one of VA’s biggest accomplishments in reducing episodes of homelessness and preventing new ones from occurring.

What positive outcomes? As a result of the act, VA helped Veterans who were hungry get their next meal; gave a Veteran stable housing so they could rest easy at night; and provided transportation to a necessary doctor’s appointment.

These are just some of the many critical ways that VA was able to assist Veterans over the past two years, improving their lives.

While the public health emergency officially ended May 11, 2023, the end of the year feels like the perfect time to reflect upon the impact this section of the law has had on Veterans over the past two years. It proved that homelessness is a failure of systems, not people, because when those systems come together to make change, the outcome speaks for itself.

Here are some of the personal stories of Veterans positively impacted.

Emergency housing

A fire had ravaged the home of one Veteran who had been living in a HUD-VASH unit since 2017. But with the use of 4201 funds, the Veteran and her family were able to stay in a hotel until they could secure permanent housing, helping to create a stable environment for all of them amidst a traumatic tragedy.

Funds were also used by Veterans to treat bed bug infestations in their units, making their homes safer for habitation.

Medical equipment

The law also helped with lifesaving medical care. A Veteran with a sleep apnea diagnosis was able to purchase much-needed CPAP batteries. These batteries became an essential lifeline for the Veteran in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida’s devasting blow to the Gulf Coast in August 2021.

Help with utilities

Utilities were one of the essential needs that 4201 funds helped cover. One Veteran used the assistance to buy an air conditioner during a critically dangerous heat wave. Before receiving it, the temperature in the apartment had reached 120 degrees.

Transportation through Rideshare

The law allowed for the creation of a nationally coordinated rideshare program, which provided more than 494,000 rides to over 44,000 Veterans. They were able to use the service to help get to the pharmacy, food banks, mental health clinics, community health clinics and other key appointments.

One Veteran who needed eye surgery used rideshare to help him attend medical appointments that were crucial for his vision.

From May 2021 through the end of the public health emergency on May 11, 2023, VA directly helped over 69,300 Veterans across the United States, using nearly $13.1 million in funding through Section 4201 of the Isakson and Roe Act.

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).

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.

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