HUD-VASH

After years of health issues, addiction, and homelessness, Navy Veteran Dawn Densel is healthy, has stable housing, and works for the federal government, thanks to VA and its many programs for Veterans experiencing homelessness.

When Army OIF Veteran Casey Gauthier entered the Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program in Biloxi, Mississippi, in 2017, he was homeless.

In 2012, Michael Marshall was homeless. Now, thanks to the support he received from the HUD-VASH program, he works at the Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, as a certified peer support specialist. The formerly homeless Veteran's job – and his personal goal – is to support Veterans like himself who have experienced homelessness.

In this guest post, Army Veteran Albert Alexander discusses working with VA to secure housing and economic stability for he and his family.

In November 2018, Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital opened Freedoms Path Hines II, an apartment building on its campus in Hines, Illinois, offering 52 one-, two-, and three-bedroom units to eligible local Veterans through the Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program.

Charles Murray used to lug his heavy 12-year-old laptop 3 miles on his bike for his VA telehealth appointments. He now connects with his care team via VA Video Connect from a VA-connected iPad at home.

An Arkansas community has been incredibly supportive this holiday season by giving to Veterans who receive their care at Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Veterans enrolled at the VA Health Care System of the Ozarks received boxes of food and household supplies from the Elks, the Boy Scouts, the DAV auxiliary and some very generous local companies.

Social workers from the Amarillo VA Housing First Program found grants available from community organizations. They were able to pay every bill for every Veteran and prevent the loss of their homes.

In 2017, Army Veteran Laddie McMillian faced declining health and housing instability. He entered the Veterans Restoration Quarters after losing his home, then later obtained housing with the assistance of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program.

For their appointments with their VA health care provider, many Oklahoma Veterans stay home and use their smartphone or computer instead. Read all about VA Video Connect virtual appointments.

VA peer specialists serve as success stories for their fellow Veterans. Their experience using mental health services, combined with their VA training and certification, have made them valuable additions to VA’s mental health offerings.