Many Veterans find it difficult to readjust to civilian life, resulting in large numbers of Veterans becoming homeless after ending their military service. In an attempt to assist Veterans struggling with homelessness, the VA has announced that it will attempt to get over 38,000 homeless Veterans moved into permanent housing by the end of 2023. The VA plans to do this by getting at least 1,500 homeless Veterans placed in permanent housing, as well as by expanding their program to reach out to homeless Veterans to help them obtain housing and other assistance. Once a Veteran has been placed in housing, the VA will assist them in getting access to health care, job training, educational and legal assistance, to prevent them from becoming homeless again.
In order to achieve this, the VA uses numerous programs to assist homeless Veterans, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing, the Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program, the Enhanced-Use Lease Program, and the Supportive Services for Veteran Families. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing program, which works by providing Veterans with rental assistance vouchers for privately owned housing, is one of the largest VA programs assisting Veterans with obtaining permanent housing. The Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program in turn works by giving local governments grants to develop and operate transitional housing for Veterans. The Enhanced-Use Lease Program allows underutilized VA property to be leased to qualified third parties to provide supportive housing as well as other services. For homeless (or those in imminent danger of becoming homeless) low income Veterans, the Supportive Services for Veteran Families works to rapidly assist Veterans and their families find or retain housing before moving them to one of the long term programs. Through these programs, the VA had an 86 percent success rate in getting Veterans into or on the path to housing in 2022.
Veterans who are struggling with homelessness can call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838 or access the VA Homeless Programs website at https://www.va.gov/homeless/ for assistance.
If you have any questions about whether you are entitled to, or need assistance obtaining, VA benefits, the qualified Veterans’ Disability attorneys at Gardberg and Kemmerly want to help in any way possible. Gardberg and Kemmerly is committed to helping injured and disabled Veterans obtain the benefits they deserve. If you need help with a disability claim, call our office at 251-343-1111 or 800-332-1529 for a free consultation. Gardberg and Kemmerly is proud to serve Veterans across the country from our home office in Mobile, Alabama. We would love an opportunity to discuss your claim.