As 2024 draws to a close, let’s look back on the major strides we have made toward ending Veteran homelessness and look ahead to how we can keep that momentum going into next year.
Veteran homelessness reached an all-time low this year and we also exceeded our goal to house 41,000 Veterans by over 16%. Ultimately, we housed the largest number of Veterans in a single year since 2019.
“All the elements that came together to change people’s lives this year were truly an inspiration,” said Monica Diaz, senior executive director of the Homeless Programs Office, in a recent appearance on the Ending Veteran Homelessness podcast.
Listen to “S1EP32: 2024 Year in Review with Executive Director Monica Diaz” on Spreaker.
One team, one goal
What’s the key to gaining so much ground? Teamwork.
Using our One Team approach, we continued to break down silos not only within VA but outside of it, too.
We worked lockstep with partners and other agencies to make sure Veterans could easily access the support they earned through their service. Ensuring that everyone working with homeless Veterans heard the same message and used the same strategies allowed for this unprecedented progress.
Collaboration came from all levels, from local communities all the way up to Congress.
At the local level, grantees, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, volunteer services and others worked hard to strengthen partnerships with VA, providing Veterans with the services they needed to remain stably housed and regain their independence.
Meanwhile, Congress continued to provide bipartisan support, investing in those programs that have a proven track record of improving the lives of those who bravely served their country.
Looking ahead
Moving forward, we are looking to accelerate our progress and bring the number of Veterans without a home closer to zero.
While there are no specific goals set yet, Diaz said one particular focus in 2025 will be improving our ability to quickly house unsheltered Veterans, ramping up surge events that bring infusions of resources that help us reach and house unsheltered Veterans.
According to Diaz, this means “expanding the level of urgency in our strategies.” In addition to continuing to house large numbers of Veterans, we’ll put renewed focus on the efficiency and responsiveness of our services.
For those Veterans who are still struggling with homelessness, Diaz urged them to reach out, even if they have done so before without success.
“You’re the reason we wake up every day to do the mission we do. You have earned every benefit we have here in VA to serve you. Give us an opportunity to continue to serve you,” she added.
Learn about VA programs
- If you are a Veteran who is homeless or at risk of homelessness or need to connect with a Veterans justice outreach specialist, 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.
- 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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RE: “Homeless executive director reflects on 2024 progress”
You have executive directors who are homeless”???
LIES & PROPAGANDA!
It’s a bunch of crooks. I even tried to put a comment in here and it constantly. Won’t let me because you’ve probably got the algorithm. Looking for certain keywords like you suck. You lie, it’s bullsh-t. Listen, go follow the money man, I’ve been to 13G. P. D’s and 12SSVS they went. In to give me a room in the CEO in Orange County. SSVF makes $404000 a year and a $110 $1000 bonus. You think I could get a room as a 100% service? Connect to Marine Corps that bullsh-t. Bullsh-t, you want the facts.You contact me if you’re a real reporter.Or you just someone that want to job go kiss their -ss
BS big time. 8 years 12 ssvf and 4 God’s in California and am staying now in hotels burning through creditcards.
The non profits are st8 crooks. They fill out paperwork and I ask for a place to sleep they say we will get back to u. Am a 100% service connected US Marine Corps Veteran. I can tell you the real truth about these so called helping programs
Lol
Follow the money.. here a lead the ceo of a ssvf in orange county ca makes 404k a year and plus a 110k bonus AND THEY COULDNT EVEN GET ME A HOTEL ROOM
THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE ILL MEET ALL YOU PUNKS IN HELL
OH UCLA BASEBALL TEAM STOLE OUR LAND AND NO ONE DOES SH-T
RAYMOND LARKIN
F-CK OFF
Just saying.
Prevention works. Prevent police overreach, prevent hostile takeovers of veterans houses by false accusations.
My comments have to be read by a moderator I see. Let’s hope my message is seen before you decide to delete it. Anyone who tells the truth has to be silenced, DON’T THEY ???
Fred J. Garrison
You say you are trying to prevent veteran homelessness. Why then does the V.A. reduce this Vietnam veteran’s disability pension to an amount that in no time will make me homeless? Since I can’t go into detail here or it will be deleted, let me just say that I was given a 20% non service related disability rating and received an amount that was livable on. When I was diagnosed with cancerous cells in my prostate, the V.A. rated me at 100% and increased my pension to three (3) times more they were giving me. Now to start off 2025, the V.A. says my PSA level shows that my prostate “LOOKS” normal and has reduced me back to a 20% level and awarded me the sum under $483.02 a month. Can you please tell me how anyone can survive on this kind of money a month? Even with my social security, this amount will take half for rent. There’s still utility bills and food to be bought in order to survive. I have put aside most of the money the V.A. has given me when I was at the 100% level, but with today’s economy this won’t last too long. Doesn’t it seem ironic that the V.A. will allow the veteran to become homeless because of not enough aid to survive on, but yet is willing to put the veteran into a homeless shelter or approved housing which most likely will cost the government more money. Everyone always asks why do veterans commit suicide? Have they ever thought that this is why? The V.A. is always there to mess with the veteran’s well being and drives the veteran to a point where they think the only way out is killing themselves. I’m waiting for the V.A. to cancel veterans disability payments all together if they complain too much. Hell of a way to treat someone who has put their life on the line for this country. Let’s hope this new administration will give the veteran what he “REALLY” deserves. It seems that in the elevator of life, the veteran always gets “THE SHAFT” !!! Fred J. Garrison