{"id":2060,"date":"2025-12-09T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-09T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/?p=2060"},"modified":"2026-03-02T18:10:45","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T18:10:45","slug":"home-for-the-holidays-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/home-for-the-holidays-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Home for the Holidays 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull va-page-title-1\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-179 size-large\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/academic-affiliations\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/59\/2025\/05\/Hero2.png?w=1024\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#085795\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading alignwide has-text-align-left\">Featured Article<\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"va-body-wrapper wp-block-create-block-body-wrapper va-body-wrapper wp-block-create-block-body-wrapper\"><div class=\"va-body-wrapper__inner\">\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<form role=\"search\" method=\"get\" action=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/\" class=\"wp-block-search__button-outside wp-block-search__text-button wp-block-search\"    ><label class=\"wp-block-search__label\" for=\"wp-block-search__input-1\" >Search Articles<\/label><div class=\"wp-block-search__inside-wrapper\" ><input class=\"wp-block-search__input\" id=\"wp-block-search__input-1\" placeholder=\"\" value=\"\" type=\"search\" name=\"s\" required \/><button aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"wp-block-search__button wp-element-button\" type=\"submit\" >Search<\/button><\/div><\/form>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide va-intro-page va-intro-page-1 is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8cf370e7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How You Can Help Veterans Make it Home for the Holidays<\/h2>\n\n\n<div style=\"background-color: #0073aa;\" class=\"wp-block-create-block-colored-spacer has-0073-aa-background-color has-background wp-block-create-block-colored-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>By Shawn Liu, National Homeless Program Manager, Homeless Programs Office<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>December 9, 2025<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer wp-container-content-c00f5982\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video height=\"1080\" style=\"aspect-ratio: 1920 \/ 1080;\" width=\"1920\" controls src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/02\/Home-for-the-Holidays-Faith.mp4\"><track src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/02\/home-for-the-holidays-faith.mp4.vtt\" label=\"home-for-the-holidays-faith.mp4\" srclang=\"en\" kind=\"subtitles\" \/><\/video><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide va-intro-page va-intro-page-1 is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8cf370e7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p>This Holiday Season, VA is doubling down on its commitment to reducing Veteran homelessness through a new initiative called \u201cHome for the Holidays: Working to ensure our homeless Veterans have a home this holiday season and beyond.\u201d<br><br>From November 1, 2025, through January 30, 2026, we\u2019re hosting surge events at every VA in America. Our goal? Move at least 6,000 unsheltered Veterans to interim or permanent housing within 3 months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>VA is calling on faith groups to partner with their local VA to support these efforts by hosting move-in kit and outreach kit drives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:24px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer wp-container-content-541a6b20\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-blue-icon-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/02\/Veterans-Homelessness-Move-In-and-Out-Kits-508.pdf\">View this information as a print-ready flyer.<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer wp-container-content-c00f5982\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are Veteran homeless outreach kits?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Veteran Homeless Outreach Kits are designed to provide immediate, practical support and connect homeless Veterans with essential services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:0px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer wp-container-content-1ac3d91d\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is typically included in a Veteran homeless outreach kit?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-blue-with-stripes\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Necessities<\/th><th>Information and Resources<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Non-perishable food items<\/strong>&nbsp;(e.g., protein bars, canned goods with pull tabs)<br><br><strong>Bottled water<\/strong><br><br><strong>Socks and underwear<\/strong><br><br><strong>Gloves, hats, and scarves<\/strong><br><br><strong>Blankets or emergency thermal blankets<\/strong><br><br><strong>Hygiene kits&nbsp;<\/strong>(e.g., toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, razors)<br><br><strong>Hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes<\/strong><br><br><strong>First aid supplies<\/strong>&nbsp;(e.g., band-aids, antiseptic wipes)&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>VA contact cards&nbsp;<\/strong>(e.g., 877-424-3838)<br><br><strong>Brochures or flyers<\/strong>&nbsp;about:<br>Local VA medical center services<br>Housing assistance programs (e.g., HUD-VASH)<br>Employment services<br>Legal aid resources<br>Mental health and substance use support<br>Transportation options<br><br><strong>Wallet cards with emergency contacts and shelter options<\/strong><br><br><strong>Other helpful items<\/strong><br>Flashlights with batteries<br>Ponchos or rain gear<br>Reusable tote bags or backpacks<br>Bus passes or transportation vouchers<br>Notebooks and pens<br>Phone charging banks<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:0px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer wp-container-content-1ac3d91d\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is typically included in a move-in kit?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-blue-with-stripes\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th><strong>Living Room \/ Dining Room Items<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Kitchen Items<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Bedroom Items (Full or Queen)<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Bath Items<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Kitchen table<br><br>Chairs<br><br>Sofa<br><br>Side tables<br><br>TV stand<\/td><td>Pot and skillet with lids<br><br>Dishware (4-8 place settings)<br><br>Drinkware (8 glasses)<br><br>Flatware (4-8 place settings)<br><br>Serving utensil set<br><br>Measuring cups and spoons<br><br>Oven pan (9&#215;13) and\/or cookie sheet<br><br>Dishcloths<br><br>Kitchen trash can and bags<\/td><td>Sheet set<br><br>Comforter<br><br>Blanket<br><br>Pillows<br><br>Laundry basket<\/td><td>Bath towels (4)<br><br>Hand towels (4)<br><br>Washcloths (4)<br><br>Shower curtain, liner, and rings<br><br>Soap dish and toothbrush holder<br><br>Bathroom rug set<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:0px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer wp-container-content-1ac3d91d\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Learn more<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>To learn more about donating outreach and move-in essentials, contact your local VA Center for Development and Civic Engagement office at&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdceportal.va.gov\/donate_at_facility\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">cdceportal.va.gov\/donate_at_facility\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:0px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer wp-container-content-6388d5dc\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This Holiday Season, VA is doubling down on its commitment to reducing Veteran homelessness through a new initiative called \u201cHome for the Holidays: Working to ensure our homeless Veterans have a home this holiday season and beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":201,"featured_media":2078,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"priority":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[39,38,40,41],"class_list":["post-2060","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured-articles","tag-faith","tag-home-for-the-holidays","tag-move-in","tag-outreach"],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/home-for-the-holidays-2025\/","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Home for the Holidays 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