The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced on October 24 that it had housed 47,925 veterans experiencing homelessness in fiscal year (FY) 2024, surpassing its goal to house 41,000 veterans by 16.9%. This marks the largest number of veterans housed in a single year since FY 2019. The VA also ensured that 96% of the veterans housed during this time did not return to homelessness. The announcement follows the VA’s announcement last month that it had surpassed its FY 2024 housing goal one month ahead of schedule (see Memo, 10/07).
Ending veteran homelessness is a top priority for VA and the Biden-Harris administration, who have directed efforts to address the issue. Through these efforts, VA has permanently housed nearly 134,000 homeless veterans since FY 2022, and the total number of veterans experiencing homelessness in the U.S. has fallen by over 4% since early 2020 and by more than 52% since 2010. Furthermore, VA permanently housed 1,854 homeless veterans in the Greater Los Angeles area, exceeding its FY 2024 goals for this region by 15.5%.
VA’s efforts are grounded in a "Housing First" approach, which prioritizes getting veterans into housing, and then providing or connecting them with the wraparound services and supports they need to stay housed, including health care, job training, legal and education assistance, and more. Ultimately, these efforts are focused on reaching out to homeless veterans, understanding their unique needs, and addressing them through proven and evidence-based long-term solutions.
Read the VA announcement at: https://tinyurl.com/mua9em3w
Learn more about Housing First at: https://bit.ly/3TP2Tpk