In a recent speech to the National Apartment Association (NAA)’s board, I was pleased to highlight all that these strong, productive partnerships have accomplished so far and discuss ways that NAA members can continue to help us reach the day when homelessness among Veterans is rare, brief and nonrecurring.

In addition to the support of our government, nonprofit and corporate allies, evidence-based strategies like Housing First and programs such as Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) and Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) are helping thousands of Veterans get and stay housed. Last year, 60,000 Veterans were saved from eviction by SSVF and 63,000 Veterans are housed right now under HUD-VASH.

Here are just some data points that highlight our progress to date:

  • Since 2010, overall Veteran homelessness is down by 36 percent nationally.
  • To date, 23 communities and two states have put systems in place to house every Veteran identified as in need and many more jurisdictions will soon follow suit.
  • In 2015, VA’s specialized homeless programs served roughly 365,000 homeless or at-risk Veterans.

Although these are promising developments, we know the need is still great.

Right now, more than 6,500 Veterans with HUD-VASH vouchers in hand can’t find local housing options. This is the case in San Francisco, Seattle, Denver, Detroit and many other communities across the country.

And so we always need more housing partners willing to offer Veterans stable housing options. This can be a win-win: property owners get reduced vacancies, stable and dependable rental income and, in some cases, access to VA staff to resolve issues that may arise.

After I gave my early March remarks, many of you came up to ask me what else you could do—as apartment owners, property managers, employers and concerned citizens—to deepen your involvement in this important cause.

Working with your NAA team, we took a small step to make collaborating with VA easier: NAA now has its very own Ending Veteran Homelessness Resources page, where housing and owner/operator partners can find tools, posters, wallet cards and other helpful resources to raise awareness and enlist others in this vital mission.

We hope you use and share this information with your networks and colleagues. You can learn even more by visiting VA’s ending Veteran homelessness website and our get involved page. You can also email questions to VA’s homeless Veterans’ outreach team.

On behalf of VA, thank you for all you’re doing to house Veterans who are homeless and at risk of homelessness. We look forward to continuing our work together to reduce—and, soon end—homelessness among Veterans.

Veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless can call or visit their local VA Medical Center, where VA staff are ready to assist. Veterans and their families can also access VA services by calling 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838). 


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9 Comments

  1. DAN GOLINSKI May 4, 2016 at 12:22

    I am a 100% disabled VIETNAM veteran dealing with PARKIN’S DISEASE and type 2 diabetes.

    My idea to end unemployment and/or homeless is to enlist the help of the US NAVY

    SEABEES. (carpenters, electricians, plumbers, equipment operators, steelworkers,

    surveyors,

    and construction mechanics. These trades can be taught to those in need, and after that

    they could bring the “RUST BELT CITIES” back to life.

    SEABEES HAVE a CAN DO attitude : They have built so much with so little, now they can

    can build something with nothing.

    Active duty SEABEES as well as veterans could complete the task.

  2. Bernice Ahmed May 2, 2016 at 16:05

    Does anyone in the Atlanta Ga area have a decent clean unit they would like to lease to a veteran? You have to be willing to be apart of the HudVash program that accepts vouchers for veterans. The number to find out about HudVash is to call (404) 321-6111 x.7442. I expect to receive a voucher but I don’t have one as of yet. I am a homeless female veteran that really needs a decent affordable clean unit that I can lease and it will help me get out of my car and feel comfort and normal again. I am tired of the VA partners that claims to be doing a veteran a favor by placing them into places that are infested with roaches!!!! I will not accept places that has roaches. That is not helping me at all.

  3. Jon Anthony Stille May 1, 2016 at 23:40

    I am 100% vet non smoker n illicit drugs looking for a new start. I’ve been through college and after my divorce after 14 yrs I came to central America to help with my fiance who wants also a new start. She too is clean an iam dealing with the Embassy here in Costa Rica now. It shouldn’t take long it is the expense all at once to move back.
    Perhaps through this generous program we can have a life again. Thank you.

  4. PAMELA April 29, 2016 at 15:48

    I HAVE A HOME I WOULD LIKE TO RENT OUT TO OUR VETERAN. PLEASE GIVE ME MORE INFORMATION ON THE VOUCHER PROGROM

  5. Thomas James April 29, 2016 at 12:07

    Congressmen and women, please listen up: Congress needs to establish HUGE benefits to those who volunteer for military service. It is difficult for ANYONE to get employment but four years of military service seems to HURT applicants rather than help. Congress should lower or eliminate employer taxes for each veteran hired. Congress should increase funding for Veterans clinics, hospitals, doctors, and nurses (etc), so that there is no longer a THREE MONTH wait to see a doctor. People should WANT to enlist. Society should be proud of it’s warriors. Housing, food, employment, and health care should be expected instead of unavailable.

    • Ruth Vela April 29, 2016 at 14:36

      Thomas, I’m a retired rated disabled vet, served for 25 years, the problem has been pointed out many times about the way society treats veteran. How can the problem be solved? What can society do to remedy the problem and where does the money come from? Companies love to receive a tax break when haring a vet, but the government needs those taxes dollars? So where does the Veteran Administration (VA) get the big bucks? tax dollars? private donations? realignment of the national budget? It’s a big order, Congress can’t just push a button and give the VA funds, it’s the vast majority of voters who either don’t care or don’t respond to the changes made my our country leaders. president, the two houses of congress, federal, state, and local representatives, I, too, believe military personnel have been given a raw deal. You serve the country at a job that can take your life at any moment, you serve with honor, pride, defending the county, plus continue to improve your job skill and knowledge, make less money than minimum wage. When you finish your “call to duty” you trust you’ll get out alive without a traumatic brain injury,post traumatic stress, loosing your limbs, hearing and vision, hopefully your family and society will receives you with open arms and the country will help you reenter society. How can we solve the problem? When we retire, I think, we become dreamer. .

  6. Joe Parker April 29, 2016 at 10:58

    There is a very small group that has found one possible solution to veteran homelessness. Their website is: the bunker hotel.com please check this project out and try to help them.

  7. walter wissert April 23, 2016 at 10:52

    I have a home that could possibly meet your needs. It is a 3 bedroom ranch with 1 bath and a carport in a very nice area close to train. I need more information about your program needs and voucher program.

    • Jared M Brooks April 29, 2016 at 09:54

      Where is this home at

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