Since 2010, the number of homeless Veterans in the U.S. has been reduced by nearly half — but even one homeless Veteran is too many. That’s why VA remains focused on eradicating homelessness among Veterans.

Virginia, Connecticut and 29 communities across the nation have declared their commitment to end Veteran homelessness. VA strives to build on that success through the MyVA initiative.

Check back to learn more about VA’s culture shift — from rules-based to principles-based.

This is the fifth installment of a six-part series — called “MyVA: Putting Veterans First!” — that highlights the progress being made during the MyVA initiative, the largest transformation in the department’s history. Get caught up by watching the videos on same-day access to care , simplifying the online experience, changes at VBA that reduced the claims backlog and reduced wait times.

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10 Comments

  1. Mark Cinco January 4, 2017 at 14:34

    I applied for – and was told I qualified for – HUD/VASH help in late 2015 and through 2016. I was told that NO vouchers were available in Grand Rapids (or any other large Michigan city), and that nobody knew when or if more vouchers would become available.
    I lost my apartment after getting $2000 behind on my rent while waiting for HUD/VASH, my VBA appeal, and my SSDI appeal.
    I was later told by a different HCHV caseworker that during this whole time vouchers actually HAD been available, but that my prior caseworker felt my situation was not desperate enough to deserve it. He then told me how to get a bed overnight at the nearest men’s shelter.
    THE ONLY REAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDED TO ME BY A VA HOMELESS PROGRAM was 6 months partial rent assistance through SSVF.
    “While VA has made significant strides in decreasing homelessness among Veterans, we are committed to ensuring that every Veteran in need is permanently housed.” Unfortunately, there is no reason to see this statement as anything more than marketing hyperbola and fake news.

  2. Samuel S campos January 4, 2017 at 08:58

    I have been homeless for a little bit over 2 years and been in and out of employment due too “NOT a Right Fit” I tried all resources and I’m still homeless and I just lost my job again… I thought after serving 9.5 years of service I thought I would be good by now… it’s too long of a process.

    01/01-10-10
    Operation Enduring Freedom
    Operation Iraqi Freedom

  3. Carlos A. Leal January 1, 2017 at 01:54

    I need to know the ‘Dental Program for Veterans Seeking Employment’ and don’t qualify for Service Connect Dental Care.
    There is or there was a Program out of Florida that would Help Non-Service Connected Veteran needing Dental Care.

    Would someone be so kind and provide me with the person(s) to contact for that Dental Program.

  4. david goldsburg December 31, 2016 at 17:34

    I am a vet and i work but have to have family help for places to stay i have to send money overseas to support my wife and 5 year old son and i put dollars aside to maybe one day see them here i served 13 years and i can not get nothing from VA because post 9/11 gets it all my body is full of pain but VA 10% because most to them was by their words my fault

  5. RANDY JONES December 31, 2016 at 09:43

    From OCTOBER 1983 TILL THE DATE OF THIS POST I HAVE BEEN SUCESSFULLY SCREWED OVER TIME AN TIME AGAIN ON MY PHYSICAL AN MENTAL DIAGNOSIS BY VA.I HAVE BEEN DIAOGNOISED BY VA WITH PTSD AN SEVERAL OTHER SERVICE CONNECTED ISSUES THAT EVERY CLAIM FILED FROM NOVEMBER 1994 TILL NOW WAS EITHER LOST STOLEN ARE SWEPT IN A DAMN CLOSET. ONLY AFTER WAITING. EACH TIME FOR YEARS WOULD I GET A DEMEANING WORTHLESS RESPONCE WHERE AS AT THE 1994 CNP EXAM ALL WAS CONFIRMED OF THE ILLNESS THEY DIAOGNOISED. AN YES IM MORE THAN JUST HOMELESS MY LIFE AN MY CHILDRENS LIFE HAVE BEEN HELL.

  6. joe willy December 30, 2016 at 11:16

    as long as the veteran hospitals continue to tell veterans to hang up and call someone else… 62 veterans will commit suicide EVERY day

  7. Barry L Carey December 28, 2016 at 22:58

    How do I go about setting up an apartment that I own for rental to veterans trying to get back on their feet?

    • Christy Callon December 30, 2016 at 13:29

      If God willing for me to have the resources.This subject has infuriated me.Anyone who has served for this country should be taken well care of.Not living on the streets while our government takes care of the outsiders.Veterans First.So I will be helping those veterans to live a better life.They need mental health as well because the trauma they endure for this country is very hard for them to cope with.Veterans First.

    • Peter Pallino December 30, 2016 at 13:53

      You talk to HUD and get the Section 8 paperwork for landlords. Your property has to meet their guidelines, which isn’t difficult at all. As a former homeless vet currently in the VASH program, I want to thank you for your effort. :)

  8. Jeffrey Thompson December 27, 2016 at 18:54

    Hi Catherine,

    What happened to: Project Reach: VA Launches “Project REACH” Contest With HUD and Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation to Help Homeless Find Vital Services [https://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=2278].

    Thanks,
    Jeff

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