Western Pennsylvania Continuum of Care announces the end of Veteran homelessness in the region

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today that the Western Pennsylvania Continuum of Care (CoC) met the requirements in September to declare the effective end of Veteran homelessness in the 20 counties it serves, bringing the nation another step closer to ending homelessness among Veterans across the country.

The Western Pennsylvania CoC joins 77 other communities and three states that have identified each homeless Veteran in their community and put them on the pathway to securing permanent housing.

“Achieving this milestone demonstrates that ending Veteran homelessness is possible with effective local leadership and strong partnerships” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “I salute the Western Pennsylvania CoC’s Veteran Committee and everyone in Western Pennsylvania who works tirelessly in collaboration with VA and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and other organizations, to ensure that Veterans in the region have access to permanent, sustainable housing and wraparound support services.”

The Western Pennsylvania CoC’s Veteran’s subcommittee is comprised of partners from local VA medical centers, Supportive Services for Veteran Families program providers, Grant and Per Diem program providers, the Veterans Integrated Service Network 4, the Continuum of Care housing and supportive services providers, HUD technical assistance providers, local landlords and the Pennsylvania Departments of Community and Economic Development and Military and Veterans Affairs. HUD provides funds and guidance to CoCs to promote the community-wide planning and strategic use of resources to address homelessness.

As a result of VA’s strategic collaboration with federal, state and local agencies like these, Veteran homelessness has been reduced by nearly half between 2010 and 2018, nationwide and more than 700,000 Veterans and their family members have been permanently housed or avoided homelessness.

To learn about programs and services available to help homeless Veterans or those at imminent risk of homelessness, visit www.va.gov/homeless, download Home Together or log on to www.usich.gov for information about the federal strategic plan to prevent and end homelessness.

Veterans in need can also contact their local VA medical center, where VA staff are ready to assist, or call 877-4AID-VET (877-424-3838) for help.