The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) has committed to allocating hundreds of millions in grant funding to aid homeless Veterans, following recent data that indicates a rise in Veteran homelessness in 2023.
"Every American deserves a safe and affordable home. Like air, water, and food, housing is a basic human need required for the health of individuals, communities, and nations," said Jeff Olivet, director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. "The Biden-Harris administration’s plan calls on all parts of the federal government, as well as mayors, landlords, developers, and everyone involved to help us build a future where no one experiences the tragedy of homelessness, and everyone has a safe and affordable home."
Two grant opportunities have been introduced to assist Veterans experiencing homelessness. The Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Grants will provide substantial funding to organizations aiming to rehouse Veterans. These SSVF grants are designed to prevent imminent loss of Veteran property and find more suitable housing situations for Veterans and their families. The exact amount to be funded is yet to be determined by the VA budget. In addition, Legal Services for Homeless Veterans and Veterans At-Risk for Homelessness Grants will allocate over $26 million in funds to organizations offering legal assistance with court proceedings and defense in criminal cases related to homelessness.
According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), there was a 7.4% increase in homelessness among veterans in January 2023. This reflects the broader 12% increase in homelessness among all Americans. In response, the VA has implemented aggressive measures against Veteran homelessness; it exceeded its calendar year goal by permanently housing 38,847 homeless veterans in 2023. The VA also expanded access to healthcare, legal assistance, and housing assistance for over 145,000 Veterans and their families. Over $1 billion in grant funding has been awarded towards helping homeless Veterans. The HUD-VASH program, a collaborative initiative between VA and HUD, has aided over 13,000 Veterans in exiting homelessness and securing permanent affordable housing with supportive services.
