Addressing homelessness among aging Veterans

By Meredith Malpass, HUD-VASH Regional Coordinator, VHA Homeless Programs Office

June 17, 2026

In fiscal year 2024, almost half of all Veterans enrolled in VA healthcare were 65 or older. By fiscal year 2035, the number of Veterans aged 85 and older is expected to increase by 66%. Within this broader population, a growing subset of aging Veterans is experiencing or facing homelessness—some for the first time in their lives—due to factors like rising housing costs, complex medical needs, income loss or lack of family support.

With the number of aging and disabled homeless Veterans expected to increase, VA launched the Homeless Aging and Disabled Veterans Initiative to bring together housing assistance, healthcare and supportive services through the Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) and Geriatrics and Extended Care (GEC) programs. The initiative helps connect older, homeless and disabled Veterans with complex health needs to stable housing, case management, community based care and services that support long-term health, independence and quality of life.