Homelessness isn’t a choice—it’s a “perfect storm” of health, financial and systemic risks
When it comes to understanding why some Veterans experience homelessness, many people assume it is the result of one bad choice or a single stroke of bad luck. But the reality is much more complex. For many Veterans, homelessness is the result of a perfect storm where personal struggles collide with inadequate resources that haven’t provided the support needed.
By understanding the risk factors that homeless Veterans face, VA works to identify risks early and connect Veterans with the support and specific help they need to get back on their feet and find stability.
Understanding the risks
The transition from military to civilian life is rarely a straight line and can take years after leaving the military before Veterans become homeless. Many Veterans return home carrying invisible rucksacks filled with mental health challenges like PTSD or depression. When these challenges aren’t met with immediate support, they can lead to substance use to cope with the pain. These aren’t just “health issues,” they are heavy burdens that can make it harder to hold a job, maintain a home and stay connected to family and friends.
These struggles often intersect with social and economic challenges that can make civilian life even harder to navigate, and stability even harder to achieve. For Veterans, these challenges are often compounded by experiences long before they ever put on a uniform. For example, adverse childhood experiences can create a foundation of instability that continues to affect Veterans long after their service. When financial insecurity or a history of incarceration is added into the mix, the path to permanent housing becomes an even greater uphill climb. Justice-involved Veterans face unique barriers, often including stigmas that make landlords or employers look the other way.
But it isn’t just about what a Veteran is going through personally, it’s about the world around them. Even the most resilient Veteran can’t grind their way out of a housing market where affordable options are in short supply. Rising rents and limited availability can also make stable housing hard to secure—even for Veterans who work full time.
In some neighborhoods, the lack of reliable transportation or community support also becomes a barrier to the very services that are meant to help. These systemic factors—like a lack of economic opportunity or cultural barriers—can make a Veteran feel like they are fighting a war on their own home turf.
Why “one size fits all” doesn’t work
Because every Veteran’s journey is different, the solution must be just as unique. VA doesn’t just offer “homeless services”; we offer tailored interventions based on what a Veteran actually needs.
Some Veterans may still find themselves in a crisis despite experiencing few long-term health or legal issues. For this group, the barrier is often purely financial, like a sudden job loss. These Veterans may benefit most from rapid re-housing programs, which provide short-term subsidies to help them get back into an apartment quickly before a temporary setback becomes a permanent struggle.
Other Veterans deal with more complex, overlapping needs. They might be managing chronic health conditions while also navigating the aftermath of a history of incarceration. For these Veterans, a roof isn’t enough; they need a team. Programs like HUD-VASH pair housing vouchers with ongoing health care and case management to ensure they stay housed for good. This wraparound approach provides long-term support that meets Veterans where they are.
If you, or a Veteran you know, are homeless or at risk of homelessness, call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838. You earned your benefits, and you’ve earned the right to a safe place to call home.
Learn about VA programs
- View our infographic on Understanding Veteran Homelessness.
- If you are a Veteran who is homeless or at risk for homelessness or need to connect with a Veterans justice outreach specialist, call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838.
- Learn more about common stigmas related to homelessness and how you can be part of the solution to help homeless Veterans.
- Visit the VA Homeless Programs website to learn about housing initiatives and other programs for Veterans exiting homelessness.
- Get involved with housing homeless Veterans.
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Hello, a veteran of Afghanistan, a friend of mine (in the city of Los Angeles)is in temporary housing, He is a husband, wife, and three children, all aged under fifteen years old. He has been having a difficult time finding housing for themselves for almost a year. He is HUD VASH eligible, but it is challenging to find a place. Some of these so called housing finders haven’t helped. HACLA ( Housing Authority of Los Angeles) says that they can only have a three bedroom apartment or house ,they can’t get anything with less rooms( there seems to be a lack three bedroom places). Can you please help him and his family out with finding a place or not? Thank you for your time and help.
I was homeless because of my Caucasian neighbors. They didn’t want a n lack person among them still today. I need legal help.
How many of these vets are from what era?
Show many homeless vets are women?
I can understand why a vet would rather be homeless than to stay at home and fell like they are hurting their family
Then there are quality issues they did not even mention in this article. Three times the VA found me housing and three times I had to move for some sort of infestation on the premises. Thanks but Im not libing with rats under the stove. Living in Mexico although i miss home atleast i have my dignity here.
I was a homeless veteran but was able to get a housing voucher an apply for a senior apartment with help through the navigation center if the department of defense would set aside money from the sale of weapons that would support veterans services
This article begins by saying “By understanding the risk factors that homeless Veterans face, VA works to identify risks early and connect Veterans with the support and specific help they need to get back on their feet and find stability.” That is complete BS. The VA routinely CAUSES veterans to become homeless by refusing to provide them any support or help. Whenever at-risk veterans start to get back on their feet the VA finds a way to pull the rug out from under them and keep them down. You should be ashamed of yourselves for publishing propaganda.
The characterization of discharge can also have a significant impact on the benefits that veterans can receive. Yet, there is little analysis done, especially in the unsheltered veteran population, of the characterization of service to better align them with the services and support they can receive. This is on top of a bureaucratic rat maze of regulations and procedures that are difficult to navigate in VA Healthcare, effectively driving many away, myself included.
You know that saying that makes people shrug in disbelief, “It’s Complicated”. Well Veteran Homelessnes issues encompass that saying. Our bŕains have been completely rewired. Throw in beauraucratic laws, self medication, strained mental health care, and you have a desperate, confused individual, who wanted nothing more than to lead a purposeful life & serve his or her country. We come in all colors of the rainbow, all genders, many shapes and sizes. We weren’t spit out of a mold, broke down and remanufacterd to be robots. We bleed the same color blood as everyone else. Our ages are insignificant. Generations didn’t change our brotherly and sisterly love for one another and our country. Look deep into our souls through are windows called “Eyes”. We are real loving human beings who got confused. We could be your mechanic, Uber driver, or mopping the floors at a fast food resteraunt. Instead of using the all to common saying of, “Thank You For Your Service”, make a real difference and donate time or money to a vetted veteran organization that helps veterans without beauracratic involvement.
VA monthly pensions with adequate resources needs at least $20,000.00 calibrated for low income, survivors, dependents. The money they make and VA monthly pensions should calibrate for at least $20,000.00. The monies come from the fragmented funds of millions,
This is one of the most important newsletters that I’ve read in a while (great ones) this could happen to any of us & that’s the reason we all need to heed the reality of what this article is about…tell our Brothers & Sisters that there is hope through it all with VA standing with us as they always have and always will…Thanks Again VA..
Unfortunately,I have to tell this so maybe the United States will heal from its abuse and disrespect and triple backflip tricks you accomplish to get proper service at va facilities it wasn’t always like this but it is now,I’m John Pratt in May of 2019 I found out that it’s still the same for African Americans using their benefits to purchase a home on some land,well I fell for the lie like Tuskegee, buffalo soldiers,black Vietnam service vets,stomped down by the same country they fought for.Oh yeah because thanking me for my service Wilson county and floresville police department,began their campaign to rid floresville of it’s African American combat vet with honors by destroying my dream because of the color of my skin with false charges 5 arrests financially destroyinge loss of my children and still not sable so I want to thank Wilson county and racist floresville police and all the cowards and liars at 3rd st annex court for stealing property and I tell you the only truth that I was told by floresville police go tell who you want no one’s gonna help you your black,they were and still are absolutely correct and I don’t feel bad I can’t change my color,it’s scary that this is who our country gives badges and gavels.So black veterans don’t fall for the lie about you can have a house andalm that bull crap keep your family safe I’m living proof blacks can serve with honors but we are still not welcome in our own ugh so called country .every word is true ,if I’m wrong stop being hypocrites and follow and obey the law.