Homeless Veterans

Homeless Veterans

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) states that the nation’s homeless veterans are predominantly male, with roughly 9% being female. The majority is single; live in urban areas; and suffer from mental illness, alcohol and/or substance abuse, or co-occurring disorders. About 11% of the adult homeless population is veterans.


Roughly 45% of all homeless veterans are African American or Hispanic, despite only accounting for 10.4% and 3.4% of the U.S. veteran population, respectively.


Demographics of Homeless Veterans

• 11% of the homeless adult population are vets

• 20% of the male homeless population are vets

• 68% reside in principal cities

• 32% reside in suburban/rural areas

• 51% of homeless vets have disabilities

• 50% have serious mental illness

• 70% have substance abuse problems

• 57% are white males, compared to 38% of non-vets

• 50% are age 51 or older, compared to 19% non-vets


Homeless veterans are younger on average than the total veteran population. Approximately 9% are between the ages of 18 and 30, and 41% are between the ages of 31 and 50. Conversely, only 5% of all veterans are between the ages of 18 and 30, and less than 23% are between 31 and 50.


This is of particular interest given that older veterans are also at higher risk of incarceration and suicide. About 1.4 million other veterans, meanwhile, are considered at risk of homelessness due to poverty, lack of support networks, and dismal living conditions in overcrowded or substandard housing.


Source: Veterans Affairs Homeless

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans


Combat veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and the Global War on Terror who need help – from mental health programs to housing, employment training and job placement assistance – are beginning to seek help from the nation’s community-based homeless veteran service provider organizations.The number of homeless veterans has decreased by about 50% since 2009, according to HUD’s Annual Homelessness Assessment Report to Congress (AHAR). Approximately 12,700 veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation New Dawn (OND) were homeless in 2010. The number of young homeless veterans is increasing, but only constitutes 8.8% of the overall homeless veteran population.


Why are Veterans Homeless?


In addition to the complex set of factors influencing all homelessness – extreme shortage of affordable housing, livable income and access to health care – a large number of displaced and at-risk veterans live with lingering effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance abuse, which are compounded by a lack of family and social support networks. Additionally, military occupations and training are not always transferable to the civilian workforce, placing some veterans at a disadvantage when competing for employment. A top priority for homeless veterans is secure, safe, clean housing that offers a supportive environment free of drugs and alcohol.


What Services Do Homeless Veterans Need?


Homeless veterans need a coordinated effort that provides secure housing and nutritional meals; essential physical health care, substance abuse aftercare and mental health counseling; and personal development and empowerment. Veterans also need job assessment, training and placement assistance. NCHV strongly believes that all programs to assist homeless veterans must focus on helping veterans reach the point where they can obtain and sustain gainful employment. If not, clients will be unable to find and maintain safe, decent, permanent housing.


To obtain the most up-to-date local estimates, contact the homeless coordinator at your nearest VA medical center or the Office of the Mayor or county government serving your area.


Who is Helping Homeless Veterans?


The most effective programs for homeless and at-risk veterans are community-based, nonprofit, “veterans helping veterans” groups. Programs that seem to work best feature transitional housing that offers the camaraderie of living in structured, substance-free environments with fellow veterans who are successfully regaining control of their lives. Because government money for homeless veterans is limited and VA serves less than half of this population, it is critical that community groups reach out to help provide the support, resources and opportunities most Americans take for granted: employment, housing and health care.



There are over 2,100 community-based homeless veteran service providers across the country and many other homeless assistance programs that have demonstrated impressive success reaching homeless veterans. These groups are most successful when they work in collaboration with federal, state and local government agencies; other homeless providers; and veteran service organizations. Veterans who participate in these programs have a higher chance of becoming tax-paying, productive citizens again.


Read more...The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans

Veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless can call or visit their local VA Medical Center or Community Resource and Referral Center where VA staff are ready to help.

Veterans and their families may also call 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838) to access VA services.

Explore www.va.gov/homeless to learn about VA programs for Veterans who are homeless and share that information with others.

Work with VA to prevent and end homelessness among Veterans in your community. Learn how you can help by visiting www.va.gov/homeless/stakeholders.asp.

Download posters, brochures, and other materials to reach out to Veterans and help VA end homelessness.


Homeless Veterans Organizations

Not all veterans are eligible for Veterans Affairs-supported homeless services and will want to explore other options available. It is necessary to check with both local and national organizations that focus on homeless programs and resources. The following organizations are instrumental in reducing homelessness of veterans. Listings of resources with contact information is available at The Forgotten Veteran / Homeless

  • Veterans Affairs Homeless Programs

    VA Homeless Programs


    Veterans Affairs is committed to ending homelessness among Veterans. Our focus is threefold:

    • 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, state and local agencies; employers; housing providers, faith-based and community nonprofits; and others to expand employment and affordable housing options for Veterans exiting homelessness.

  • The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans

    The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans 


    If you are a homeless veteran or a veteran at risk of becoming homeless, these pages provide information that you can use to seek help. They include addresses, phone numbers, and websites to find out about services, programs, and other help that is available. Keep in mind that these pages do not include all services offered. What is available in one area may be different from what is available in another, so be sure to check with local agencies to learn about services in your area.


    1001 Connecticut Avenue, NW Ste. 840, Washington, DC 20036

    Phone: 202-546-1969

    Fax: 202-546-2063

    Email: info@nchv.org


    Click on the links below to read about first steps you should take, information about resources available to address specific needs, how to replace personal records, information about seeking VA benefits, and a summary of phone numbers and websites that you will find valuable. Begin by reading the Step-by-Step Guide.


    Rental and Mortgage Assistance Resources

    Locate a Community-Based Organization

    • Immediate Help
    • Step-by-Step Guide
    • Replacing Personal Records
    • Seeking Federal Benefits
    • Women Veterans
    • Incarcerated Veterans

    If you experience difficulties getting results or locating services in your local area, call the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans at 1-800-VET-HELP.

  • National Call Center for Homeless Veterans

    National Call Center for Homeless Veterans

    Veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness—and their family members, friends and supporters—can make the call to or chat online with the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans, where trained counselors are ready to talk confidentially 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.


    Who Can Call

    • National Call Center Hotline - 18774AIDVETVeterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness
    • Family members, friends and supporters calling on behalf of Veterans
    • VA Medical Centers and other VA facilities and staff
    • Federal, state and local partners
    • Community agencies and providers who serve Veterans who are homeless

    Why Make the Call to 1-877-4AID VET (877-424-3838)

    • It's free and confidential
    • You'll get access to trained VA counselors
    • It's available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
    • You'll get information about VA homeless programs, health care and other services in your area

  • The National Coalition for the Homeless

    The National Coalition for the Homeless

    The National Coalition for the Homeless is a national network of people who are currently experiencing or who have experienced homelessness, activists and advocates, community-based and faith-based service providers, and others committed to a single mission: To end and prevent homelessness while ensuring the immediate needs of those experiencing homelessness are met and their civil rights are respected and protected.

    The National Coalition for the Homeless



  • National Coalition for the Homeless

    National Coalition for the Homeless

    Operating across the nation, the National Coalition for the Homeless is made up on hundreds of non-profits, individuals and government agencies. The network of partners is immense, and each and every one of them is focused on both preventing future episodes of homelessness, and also more importantly addressing the root cause of it and breaking the cycle.



  • The National Low Income Housing Coalition

    The National Low Income Housing Coalition is dedicated solely to achieving socially just public policy that ensures people with the lowest incomes in the United States have affordable and decent homes.

    The National Low Income Housing Coalition



  • The Salvation Army

    The Salvation Army

    At The Salvation Army, our doors are open every day – and night – of the year. Through our emergency housing facilities, homeless shelters, transitional living centers, group homes, and family shelters, we provide over 10 million nights of lodging annually. In addition to supplying shelter from the elements, beds, food, and basic hygiene resources to those in need, we help combat long-term homelessness in America by serving homeless adults, veterans, and children with holistic physical, emotional, and spiritual support.

  • National Alliance to End Homelessness

    The National Alliance to End Homelessness is a nonpartisan organization committed to preventing and ending homelessness in the United States.

    National Alliance to End Homelessness



  • Volunteers of America

    Volunteers of America works to prevent and end homelessness through a range of support services including eviction prevention, emergency services, transitional housing and permanent affordable housing. Once we engage homeless individuals, including youth and families with children, we stay with them for as long as it takes to return them to self-sufficiency.

    Volunteers of America



  • The Mission of Catholic Charities

    The Mission of Catholic Charities

    is to provide service to people in need, to advocate for justice in social structures, and to call the entire church and other people of good will to do the same.

    The Mission of Catholic Charities



  • The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness

    The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness leads the national effort to prevent and end homelessness in America. We drive action among our 19 federal member agencies and foster partnerships at every level of government and with the private sector.

    The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness



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