World Homeless Day 2024

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

October 10, 2024

Each year, on October 10, we commemorate World Homeless Day by drawing attention to the needs of those experiencing homelessness and providing opportunities for the community to help.

VA is committed to ending homelessness among Veterans because it is our nation’s duty to ensure all Veterans have a place to call home—and we have made significant progress.

Since 2010, the number of Veterans experiencing homelessness in the United States has declined by more than 52%. And since 2015, 84 communities and 3 states (Virginia, Connecticut, and Delaware) have achieved an effective end to Veteran homelessness.

The state of Veteran homelessness

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, on a single night in January 2023, 35,574 Veterans experienced homelessness in the U.S. This reflects a 7.4% increase from 2023.

Despite this increase, there is still an overall downward trend. The estimated number of Veterans experiencing homelessness has declined by 52% since 2010. Within the last 3 years alone, there has been a 4% reduction overall.

Looking deeper at the data from 2023, we see that 20,067 Veterans experienced sheltered homelessness and 15,507 experienced unsheltered homelessness. Unsheltered Veterans represented nearly 80% of the overall increase.

Veterans who experience sheltered homelessness live in emergency shelters, transitional housing programs, or other supportive settings. Veterans who experience unsheltered homelessness live in places not meant for human habitation, such as cars, parks, sidewalks, abandoned buildings, and literally on the street.

VA resources to help homeless and at-risk Veterans

Our wide array of services that help address housing instability and homelessness include:

• Outreach, engagement, assessment, and referral services. The Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) and the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans serve as front doors to VA’s homeless programs.
• Residential services. The HCHV Contracted Residential Services and Grant and Per Diem programs provide temporary emergency and transitional housing.
• Permanent housing services. The Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) and HUD-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) programs connect Veterans to affordable housing and provide rental subsidies, case management, and wrap-around supportive services to ensure Veterans have all the resources they need to remain housed.

VA also has programs to help Veterans in the criminal justice system access VA services, obtain meaningful employment, or connect with primary care tailored to overcome access barriers faced by Veterans experiencing homelessness.

Assistance pathways

• Contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-877-4AID VET (877-424-3838). It is staffed 24/7 with trained counselors who can talk with you and connect you with your nearest VA for help.
• Reach out for assistance on the Homeless Veteran Chat.
• Find your nearest VA medical center.
• Visit our website to learn more about the resources available through VA’s homeless programs.