About the Homeless Programs Office
The mission of the Homeless Programs Office is to assist Veterans and their families in obtaining permanent and sustainable housing with access to high-quality health care and supportive services.
Our vision is to end homelessness among all Veterans and their families by using evidence-based, innovative practices and partnerships that provide access to permanent housing and deliver other critical services. These Veteran-centered offerings empower Veterans and enable their independence.
VA’s resources for homeless and at-risk Veterans
VA offers a wide array of services to address the full range of housing needs Veterans may have. We provide:
- Prevention services such as Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) that keep Veterans from becoming homeless.
- Outreach services such as Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) and the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans (NCCHV) are the front doors to both VA homeless programs and the broader VA health care system.
- Residential services such as the Health Care for Homeless Veterans Contracted Residential Services or Grant and Per Diem (GPD) programs provide temporary placement, in the form of emergency or transitional housing, for Veterans who need a place to stay right now.
- Permanent housing services such as the Supportive Services for Veteran Families and HUD-VA Supportive Housing, or HUD-VASH, programs connect Veterans to affordable housing in their communities. These services come with either short or long-term rental subsidies, case management, and varying levels of wrap-around supportive services to ensure that Veterans have all the necessary resources to stay housed.
- VA also has programs to assist Veterans in the criminal justice system with accessing VA services, help Veterans address legal barriers to housing stability, help Veterans gain meaningful employment, or take care of their health needs through primary care tailored to the unique access barriers that Veterans experiencing homelessness face.
The HPO Strategic Plan 2025-2029 outlines our approach to addressing this urgent national priority. With our plan and by working closely with internal and external partners, we will enhance how we deliver services and expand opportunities for Veterans to achieve residential stability, increase their skill levels and income, and obtain greater self-determination.
Contact VA for help
If you are a Veteran who is homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness, we strongly encourage you to contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838 for assistance.
The call is free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Trained professionals are standing by to connect you to your nearest VA for help.
