Help end Veteran homelessness: Take the 2026 CHALENG survey

By Shawn Liu, National Homeless Program Manager, VHA Homeless Programs Office

April 15, 2026

Ending Veteran homelessness is a collaborative effort that relies on the input and expertise of government agencies, community organizations, advocates, and most importantly, Veterans, whose firsthand experiences help guide effective, local solutions. Project CHALENG (Community Homelessness Assessment, Local Education and Networking Groups) is VA’s longstanding initiative to understand and listen to those stakeholders and turn feedback into action.  

For more than 30 years, Project CHALENG has helped VA and its community partners better understand the evolving needs of Veterans experiencing homelessness. Through its annual CHALENG survey, Veterans, providers, and community stakeholders are invited to provide feedback about gaps in existing services, helping guide local improvements to better support homeless Veterans across communities nationwide.

Take the 2026 CHALENG survey.

Turning Veteran feedback into action

Over the last three decades, Project CHALENG has helped build thousands of partnerships between VA and community organizations that serve homeless Veterans locally. While progress continues to be made, direct feedback reminds us that there is still work to do.

Last year, nearly 1,500 Veterans completed the CHALENG survey and provided feedback on the resources they need most to move beyond homelessness toward stability. For Veterans experiencing homelessness, the survey offers a simple but powerful tool to advocate for their own care—whether that means access to legal assistance to clear a past record or help with childcare so that they can attend a job interview. These responses add meaningful context and help translate data into real improvements that result in better resources for homeless Veterans.

The survey focuses on six key areas that are vital to addressing homelessness:

• Housing
• Treatment
• Income
• Legal aid
• Education
• Community coordination

This feedback helps VA and local partners prioritize efforts and resources around the services that homeless Veterans say matter most.

Helping communities respond to Veterans’ needs

The CHALENG survey doesn’t result in a report just for VA; it’s a shared resource for entire communities. In addition to Veterans, employees from VA and other federal agencies, staff from state and local government, community-based homeless providers, and other stakeholders are strongly encouraged to complete the survey. As a result, the data becomes a practical tool that communities use for:

• Grant applications: Many nonprofit and community organizations use CHALENG data to strengthen and secure federal, state, and foundation funding and grants.
• Targeted local advocacy: VA uses interactive dashboards to show how homelessness-related data from cities across the country compare with national trends. When participants identify unmet needs, this data can help support local policy changes and service expansion.

Take the 2026 CHALENG survey today

Whether you are a Veteran who has used these services, a provider on the front lines, or a community stakeholder, your voice matters and can make a real difference for homeless Veterans. The survey is fully digital, confidential, and takes only 5-10 minutes to complete, and the feedback directly supports efforts to improve services and outcomes for Veterans experiencing homelessness.

Your feedback helps shape new programs, inform funding and grant awards, and bring communities one step closer to ending Veteran homelessness. Take the 2026 CHALENG survey today and help spread the word by inviting Veterans and providers in your network to do the same.