Eleven percent of the homeless adult population in America are veterans. This is a concerning statistic as veterans give so much to protect this country. However, due to financial issues and even mental health issues, many veterans are unable to support themselves or their families, and unfortunately end up homeless. Homelessness just complicates the host of needs that veterans already require for optimal physical and mental health. Below is a list of resources for veterans who are homeless. If you or someone you know is a homeless veteran, it’s important that you take advantage of these sources to try and get the help that you or they need.
Veterans at Risk of Homelessness
Veterans are at greater risk for homelessness in larger part due to the high prevalence of trauma. Those who are homeless require even more extensive needs because of disabilities, chronic health conditions, or mental health issue, as well as a lack of support networks and history of substance abuse.
If you or someone you know is at risk of homelessness, it’s important to do something about it before it’s too late. Veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness are strongly encouraged by the VA to contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838 or 877-4AID-VET. If veterans do not have access to a phone or internet, then they can visit their closest VA medical center without calling in advance.
Veterans Association
The VA is committed to ending homelessness among veterans using various approaches:
- conducting coordinated outreach to proactively seek out veterans in need of assistance
- connecting homeless and at-risk veterans with housing solutions, health care, community employment services and other required supports
- collaborating with federal, stage, and local agencies; employers; housing providers, faith-based and community nonprofits; and others to expand employment and affordable housing options for Veterans exiting homelessness
Veterans can visit the VA site, call, or visit their local VA for healthcare, mental health, housing assistance, and employment/job training.
ACA Medicaid
The ACA Medicaid expansion has led to increased coverage and access to care for veterans, including those who are homeless. Medicaid is important for covering veterans who would otherwise be without coverage or supplements Medicare, private, VA or military coverage. It’s particularly important for those experiencing homelessness or who have high rates of chronic health conditions, disabilities, mental health issues, and alcohol or substance use disorders.
National Coalition for Homeless Veterans
NCHV is the only national organization that is specifically focused on ending veteran homelessness. They work to promote collaboration, shaping policy, building service capacity, ensuring accountability, and managing a referral helpline for veterans experiencing and at-risk of homelessness. They provide employment opportunities, housing, and grants. They are a nonprofit organization that works with local, state, and federal agencies that provide emergency and supportive housing, food, health services, job training and placement assistance, legal aid and case management to support hundreds of thousands of homeless veterans each year. They also are the primary liaison between the nation’s care providers, Congress and the executive branch agencies charged with helping them succeed in their work.
Although they help veterans, especially those who are homeless, NCHV does not provide housing or case management, directly. They moreso work with organizations to ensure that these resources are available for veterans. Again, refer to the VA for housing assistance and they can help to get you connected with groups like NCHV.
HUD-VASH
The VA only offers assistance to veterans who have an eligible discharge status. However, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development offers assistance regardless of discharge status. In a joint housing program between them and the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing offer Section-8 housing vouchers for rental assistance for homeless veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the VA. VA provides these services at VA medical centers, community-based outreach clinics, contractors or designated entities.
Since 2008, over 97,500 HUD-VASH vouchers have been awarded to Public Housing Authorities across the US. There have been numerous positive outcomes for participants, including an increase in employment and income, the number of days housed, and social networks. Additionally, this program has been found to have a one-year cost savings of approximately $6000 per participant on health services.
Supportive Services for Veteran Families
In 2012, the VA introduced the SSVF program with the parallel goals of both preventing veteran homelessness and rapidly re-housing veterans and veteran families who do fall into homelessness. This program provides a variety of time-limited services and assistance with finances. In 2015, SSVF aided over 157,000 individuals, and after being housed only 9.4% of families returned to homelessness one year after exiting the program. 15.5% returned to homelessness two years after exit.
Diverse Health Services
Diverse Health Services is a medical service provider that provides home health services to a variety of individuals, including families. Although it’s necessary that veterans do have some form of a home to receive these services, Diverse Health Services can help provide services to a veteran with a disability or some other ailment while the other spouse is able to work and provide for the family. We offer a variety of services including transportation to and from doctors appointment so caregivers receive a break and can attend to the other needs of the house.
Once veterans receive assistance for homelessness, they may reach out to DHS and find the services that best fit their families’ needs. The integration of these services may help to provide the assistance necessary to prolong the effects and benefits of housing assistance. Please look at our website to see all of the services we offer and determine if any of them would be appropriate for you and your family.
Resources:
- https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/programs/hcv/vash
- https://nhchc.org/clinical-practice/homeless-services/special-populations/veterans/
- https://www.va.gov/homeless/health_care.asp#:~:text=Health%20Care%20Information%20for%20Veterans,-VA%20offers%20many&text=If%20you%20are%20a%20homeless,to%20a%20trained%20VA%20responder.
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