{"id":4298,"date":"2026-04-15T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-15T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/?p=4298"},"modified":"2026-04-14T17:50:05","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T17:50:05","slug":"help-end-veteran-homelessness-take-the-2026-chaleng-survey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/help-end-veteran-homelessness-take-the-2026-chaleng-survey\/","title":{"rendered":"Help end Veteran homelessness: Take the 2026 CHALENG survey"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\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\"><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-4fc3f8e1 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Help end Veteran homelessness: Take the 2026 CHALENG survey<\/h2>\n\n\n<div style=\"background-color: #0073aa\" class=\"wp-block-create-block-colored-spacer has-0073-aa-background-color has-background\"><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>By Shawn Liu, National Homeless Program Manager, VHA Homeless Programs Office<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>April 15, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/category\/featured-articles\/\" rel=\"tag\">Featured Articles<\/a><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"taxonomy-post_tag wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/tag\/chaleng\/\" rel=\"tag\">chaleng<\/a><\/div>\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<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"4096\" height=\"2160\" src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/04\/2026-CHALENG-Survey_Stock-Photo.jpeg\" alt=\"An individual completing the 2026 CHALENG survey on a laptop to provide input on resources available to homeless Veterans.\" class=\"wp-image-4299\" style=\"width:900px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/04\/2026-CHALENG-Survey_Stock-Photo.jpeg 4096w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/04\/2026-CHALENG-Survey_Stock-Photo.jpeg?resize=300,158 300w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/04\/2026-CHALENG-Survey_Stock-Photo.jpeg?resize=768,405 768w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/04\/2026-CHALENG-Survey_Stock-Photo.jpeg?resize=1024,540 1024w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/04\/2026-CHALENG-Survey_Stock-Photo.jpeg?resize=1536,810 1536w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/04\/2026-CHALENG-Survey_Stock-Photo.jpeg?resize=2048,1080 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4096px) 100vw, 4096px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" 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-4fc3f8e1 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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. <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/nchav\/resources\/project-chaleng\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"1047\">Project CHALENG<\/a> (Community Homelessness Assessment, Local Education and Networking Groups) is VA\u2019s longstanding initiative to understand and listen to those stakeholders and turn feedback into action. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Take the <a href=\"https:\/\/varedcap.rcp.vaec.va.gov\/redcap\/surveys\/?s=CM879NMFE3AEMCYF\" rel=\"noopener\">2026 CHALENG survey<\/a>.<\/p>\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\"><strong>Turning Veteran feedback into action<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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\u2014whether 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The survey focuses on six key areas that are vital to addressing homelessness: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Housing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Treatment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Income<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Legal aid<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Education<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Community coordination <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This feedback helps VA and local partners prioritize efforts and resources around the services that homeless Veterans say matter most.<\/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\"><strong>Helping communities respond to Veterans\u2019 needs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The CHALENG survey doesn\u2019t result in a report just for VA; it\u2019s 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:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Grant applications: <\/strong>Many nonprofit and community organizations use CHALENG data to strengthen and secure federal, state, and foundation funding and grants.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Targeted local advocacy: <\/strong>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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\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\"><strong><strong>Take the 2026 CHALENG survey today<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your feedback helps shape new programs, inform funding and grant awards, and bring communities one step closer to ending Veteran homelessness. Take the <a href=\"https:\/\/varedcap.rcp.vaec.va.gov\/redcap\/surveys\/?s=CM879NMFE3AEMCYF\" rel=\"noopener\">2026 CHALENG survey<\/a> today and help spread the word by inviting Veterans and providers in your network to do the same.<\/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>The annual CHALENG survey collects input from Veterans, providers, and community members to inform local efforts to improve homelessness programs, resources, and services.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":201,"featured_media":4299,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"priority":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[66],"class_list":["post-4298","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured-articles","tag-chaleng"],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/help-end-veteran-homelessness-take-the-2026-chaleng-survey\/","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Help end Veteran homelessness: Take the 2026 CHALENG survey","url":"http:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/help-end-veteran-homelessness-take-the-2026-chaleng-survey\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/help-end-veteran-homelessness-take-the-2026-chaleng-survey\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/04\/2026-CHALENG-Survey_Stock-Photo.jpeg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/04\/2026-CHALENG-Survey_Stock-Photo.jpeg"},"articleSection":"Featured Articles","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Shawn Liu"}],"creator":["Shawn Liu"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"VA Homeless Programs","logo":""},"keywords":["chaleng"],"dateCreated":"2026-04-15T08:00:00Z","datePublished":"2026-04-15T08:00:00Z","dateModified":"2026-04-15T08:00:00Z"},"rendered":"<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"wp-parsely-metadata\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"headline\":\"Help end Veteran homelessness: Take the 2026 CHALENG survey\",\"url\":\"http:\\\/\\\/department.va.gov\\\/homeless\\\/help-end-veteran-homelessness-take-the-2026-chaleng-survey\\\/\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/department.va.gov\\\/homeless\\\/help-end-veteran-homelessness-take-the-2026-chaleng-survey\\\/\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/department.va.gov\\\/homeless\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/72\\\/2026\\\/04\\\/2026-CHALENG-Survey_Stock-Photo.jpeg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/department.va.gov\\\/homeless\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/72\\\/2026\\\/04\\\/2026-CHALENG-Survey_Stock-Photo.jpeg\"},\"articleSection\":\"Featured Articles\",\"author\":[{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Shawn Liu\"}],\"creator\":[\"Shawn Liu\"],\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"VA Homeless Programs\",\"logo\":\"\"},\"keywords\":[\"chaleng\"],\"dateCreated\":\"2026-04-15T08:00:00Z\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-15T08:00:00Z\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-15T08:00:00Z\"}<\/script>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/department.va.gov\/p.js"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4298","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/201"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4298"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4298\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4302,"href":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4298\/revisions\/4302"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4299"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4298"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4298"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4298"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}