VA is working to help veterans and their families find safe housing as the coronavirus pandemic continues to affect their economic stability. VA resources have always helped veterans meet critical needs, but housing-related assistance is especially important now as many veterans across the country are at risk of losing their housing.

To address this risk, VA provides support services to low-income veterans affected by homelessness in order to find suitable housing for themselves and their families. VA takes a Housing First approach – which means housing is seen as a basic need that should be met quickly and without preconditions. Once the accommodation is secured, other services can be provided. Eligible veterans and their families receive housing advice, legal advice, child care, and rental assistance to ensure that all family members are supported and cared for. One resource that provides these services is the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program.

Another Housing First resource offered by VA – the Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program – registers the largest percentage of veterans in need of housing, with a total of over 100,000 coupons across the country. The HUD-VASH program provides veterans and their families with the resources they need to get out of homelessness, and provides them with the tools and support to help them obtain safe and stable housing.

Other helpful VA resources

Stable housing is essential for individuals and families to maintain a healthy lifestyle. However, accommodation alone is not enough. Once housing is secured, veterans and their families can focus on employment, health and wellness, education, and other needs. VA offers the following resources to help you:

With the full suite of VA resources, thousands of veterans and their families can be less concerned about housing and more focused on meeting other vital needs.

More information

• To find an SSVF program provider or to learn more, visit the SSVF website or call the VA National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-877-4AIDVET (1- 877-424-3838).
• Refer veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless to their local VA medical center, where VA staff will be ready to assist you.
• Visit the VA’s Veterans Experiencing Homelessness website to learn about employment initiatives and other programs for veterans emerging from the homelessness.

Monica Diaz is the managing director of the VHA Homeless Programs Office.