The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced on August 28 that it had permanently housed 26,470 veterans through July 2023 and was on pace to exceed its goal of housing 38,000 veterans experiencing homelessness in 2023. The VA also announced more than $1 billion in grants through the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) and Homeless Providers Grants and Per Diem programs.
Earlier this year, the Biden administration announced new actions to prevent and reduce homelessness among veterans, including providing legal services for veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness; launching supportive services to quickly rehouse veterans experiencing homelessness; and funding programs to help veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness find jobs (see Memo, 7/10). The actions build upon historic investments by the Biden administration that have driven significant reductions in veteran homelessness. The number of veterans experiencing homelessness has decreased by 11% since early 2020 and by more than 55% since 2010 (see Memo, 11/7).
The VA’s efforts to combat veteran homelessness are grounded in the evidence-based Housing First approach, which prioritizes helping veterans access housing and then providing them with voluntary wraparound services they need to stay housed – including health care, job training, legal and education assistance, and more.
Read the VA announcement at: https://tinyurl.com/4pts5j2v
Learn more about Housing First at: https://bit.ly/3ViLyU6