Homeless Programs Office Monthly Newsletter | December 2023

When you think of the holiday season, what comes to mind? Often, it’s gathering to enjoy good company and good food in the warmth of a welcoming home.  

But for some, there is nowhere to call home. It’s our goal to bring the stability of home to every Veteran, to help make this holiday vision possible for those who have bravely served our country.  

The State of Veteran Homelessness 

As 2023 winds down and we prepare for 2024, let’s take a moment to reflect on the progress we’ve made toward our goals this year. 

In the fiscal year that runs from October 2022 to September 2023, we housed almost 75,000 Veterans and their families, or prevented them from becoming homeless. That’s enough to fill a football stadium! 

Even more impressively, nearly half that number has come since January.  

Another football stadium—over 80,000 Veterans—signed leases through the Housing and Urban Development- Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program this year. This collaborative program pairs HUD housing vouchers with VA support services that lower the risk of Veterans returning to homelessness. 

These accomplishments add to the 52% reduction in Veteran homelessness that we’ve achieved since 2010. And across the country, 83 communities and three states—Connecticut, Delaware, and Virginia—have effectively ended Veteran homelessness.

Read more.

VA Exceeds Yearly Housing Goals

We have reason to celebrate a little early this year. We met our goal to house 38,000 homeless Veterans in October 2023—two months ahead of schedule. In those 10 months, we found permanent housing for 38,847 Veterans—a tally that we’ll only add to by the end of the year. We’ve also exceeded some of our other goals, ensuring that 96.2% of housed Veterans remained in housing and that 93.1% of Veterans who returned to homelessness were either rehoused or put on a path to rehousing. Read the press release.

Veteran homelessness increased by 7.4% in 2023

Veteran homelessness rose in 2023, but not as much as overall homelessness. Significant actions taken by VA in 2022 appear to have mitigated the risk of a greater increase. Read more.

Shallow Subsidy Service Helps Veterans Afford Rent

It can be hard to find affordable rental housing in this market. Veterans who are at risk of homelessness because they can’t pay high rents may be eligible for help through our Shallow Subsidy service. This short-term rental assistance can give them the extra boost they need to find a place to call home. Read more.

Where We Stand: The State of Veteran Homelessness

We want every Veteran to have a safe, stable home, and we’ve captured our progress toward that goal in a new infographic. Get a rundown on how we’ve dedicated unprecedented resources to helping solve this problem and how you can help. See the infographic.

Ending Veteran Homelessness Podcast News Update: VA Meets Goal to House 38,000 Homeless Veterans Two Months Early

In a special episode of the Ending Veteran Homelessness podcast, we celebrated meeting our 2023 goal to house 38,000 Veterans with Jill Albanese, director of clinical operations for the VA Homeless Programs Office. Albanese breaks down how we met this objective and what this milestone means for Veterans. Listen to the episode.

Ending Veteran Homelessness Podcast: 2023 Year in Review with Monica Diaz

This month, we’re joined by Monica Diaz, Executive Director of the Homeless Programs Office to reflect on what kind of year 2023 was for homeless and at risk Veterans. Listen to the episode

Remembering Those We’ve Lost on National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day

On the winter solstice, the longest night of the year, we join communities across the country in remembering those lost to homelessness. As we take time to reflect on this preventable tragedy, we also rededicate ourselves to our work providing Veterans with the resources and services they need to avoid homelessness. Learn more.

‘Where There’s Life, There’s Hope’: Breaking Down Barriers to Employment for Homeless Veterans

At the age of 60, Army Veteran Kassandra Lombard found herself homeless. Due to past trauma stemming from her military service, the former medical laboratory technician never identified as a Veteran or sought help from VA. Once Lombard made the decision to ask for help, VA staff assisted her in accessing the care she had earned. Read more.

Health, Homelessness, and the Aging Population

Older adults in the United States are at greater risk of experiencing homelessness today than at any point in recent history. Learn about the context and causes of homelessness among older adults and the health needs of this important subpopulation. (VA does not endorse Community Solutions and is not responsible for the content of the following linked website.) Read more.

Flu cases are ticking up across the country, but there’s still time to get your flu shot and reduce your chance of getting severely ill. While the CDC recommends getting vaccinated by the end of October, it’s never too late to roll up your sleeve. It’s especially important if you’re at high risk of complications, such as if you have a chronic condition like heart or lung disease, are pregnant, or are over age 65.

Eligible Veterans can get a no-cost flu shot at VA. Find one close to you.

Reduce your risk of contracting the flu and other viruses by taking preventive measures, like avoiding people who are sick, washing your hands with soap and water, avoiding touching your face, and cleaning and disinfecting surfaces regularly.

Helping Veterans navigate the civilian job market is a calling for Army Veteran Steven B. Brown, vocational development specialist/community employment coordinator for Healthcare for Homeless Veterans (HCHV). By polishing resumes, practicing for interviews, and developing network connections, Brown helps Veterans find steady employment and significantly reduces their risk of becoming homeless.

Read more about Brown’s work.

It’s been 75 years since the United Nations first stated that fundamental human rights should be universally protected. The world marks the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights each year on Dec. 10. One basic human right is access to shelter, and at VA, we’re working to secure housing for vulnerable populations, like Native American Veterans.

Hear from the people we've helped.