{"id":4481,"date":"2026-04-29T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-29T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/?p=4481"},"modified":"2026-04-28T18:51:47","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T18:51:47","slug":"preventing-veteran-homelessness-through-vas-veterans-justice-programs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/preventing-veteran-homelessness-through-vas-veterans-justice-programs\/","title":{"rendered":"Preventing Veteran homelessness through VA\u2019s Veterans Justice Programs"},"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\"><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\">Preventing Veteran homelessness through VA\u2019s Veterans Justice Programs<\/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 Madolyn Gingell, LCSW, National Coordinator, Legal Services for Veterans, Katie Stewart, LCSW, National Coordinator for Veterans Justice Outreach, and Matthew Stimmel, PhD, National Training Director for Veterans Justice Programs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>April 29, 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\/justice\/\" rel=\"tag\">justice<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\"> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/tag\/legal\/\" rel=\"tag\">legal<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\"> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/tag\/outreach\/\" rel=\"tag\">outreach<\/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=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/04\/whatisVJP.png\" alt=\"A homeless Veteran shaking hands with a Veterans Justice Programs specialist.\" class=\"wp-image-4482\" style=\"width:900px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/04\/whatisVJP.png 1200w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/04\/whatisVJP.png?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/04\/whatisVJP.png?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/04\/whatisVJP.png?resize=1024,683 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/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 requires addressing the challenges that put Veterans at risk long before a housing crisis even begins. Among the many risk factors that can lead to homelessness, involvement with the criminal justice system is particularly significant, as it can create lasting barriers that make it difficult to maintain stable housing over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, justice-involved Veterans served by VA represented less than 1% of all Veterans in the United States, yet they were <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/04\/Veterans-Justice-Programs-Elevated-Risks-Graphic_508c.pdf\">significantly more likely to experience homelessness<\/a>. Legal challenges can limit access to employment, income, and identification\u2014three essential components of securing and maintaining stable housing. Barriers like unresolved fines, suspended driver\u2019s licenses, or limited access to health care can make it difficult for Veterans to secure a job or sign a lease. When these challenges overlap, they can significantly increase the risk of housing instability and homelessness.<\/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>Supporting justice-involved Veterans before a housing crisis begins \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because many of these challenges begin while Veterans are still involved in the criminal justice system or preparing to return to their communities, early support can make a meaningful difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Through VA\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/vjp\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"709\">Veterans Justice Programs (VJP)<\/a>, specialists work within courts, jails, and other criminal justice settings to reach justice-involved Veterans early and connect them with services that support long-term stability. These efforts focus on reducing barriers that can lead to homelessness and helping Veterans maintain or regain stable housing. VJP consists of three key components:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/vjp\/vjo\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"652\">Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) Program<\/a>: VJO works to connect Veterans in jails and diversionary treatment courts with VA resources and benefits, including mental health services, substance use treatment, and housing assistance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/vjp\/hcrv\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"1516\">Health Care for Re-entry Veterans (HCRV)<\/a>: HCRV conducts pre-release assessments and coordinates referrals to medical and social services on behalf of incarcerated Veterans, ensuring that they have clinical support in place when they return home.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/legal-services-for-veterans\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"262\">Legal Services for Veterans (LSV)<\/a>: LSV awards grants and establishes partners that help justice-involved Veterans resolve civil legal issues such as accessing government benefits, navigating family law, resolving debt, and securing access to safe housing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These coordinated efforts address legal barriers before they escalate, helping reduce the risk of homelessness and supporting Veterans during their re-entry journey back into their communities.<\/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>Building a path forward \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For many justice-involved Veterans, resolving legal challenges is an important step toward stability and independence. Access to the right resources can help Veterans move forward with confidence\u2014whether that means securing housing, maintaining employment, or reconnecting with family. By addressing the intersection of justice involvement and housing instability, VJP directly supports VA\u2019s mission to prevent and end homelessness among Veterans.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"va-body-wrapper wp-block-create-block-body-wrapper\"><div class=\"va-body-wrapper__inner\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group va-section-title va-section-title-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\">Contact VA for help<\/h2>\n\n\n<div style=\"background-color: #005EA2\" class=\"wp-block-create-block-colored-spacer has-ff-5500-background-color has-background\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you are a Veteran who is homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness, we strongly encourage you to contact the <strong>National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at <a href=\"tel:+18774243838\">877-424-3838<\/a><\/strong> for assistance.<br><br>The call is free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Trained professionals are standing by to connect you to your nearest VA for help.<\/p>\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:\/\/www.va.gov\/homeless\/nationalcallcenter.asp\" rel=\"noopener\">Chat with a live professional now<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.va.gov\/homeless\/nationalcallcenter.asp\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1385\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/08\/NCCHV-Logo-02-Large.png\" alt=\"National Call Center for Homeless Veterans logo. 877-424-3838\" class=\"wp-image-5628\" srcset=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/08\/NCCHV-Logo-02-Large.png 1385w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/08\/NCCHV-Logo-02-Large.png?resize=300,130 300w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/08\/NCCHV-Logo-02-Large.png?resize=768,333 768w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/08\/NCCHV-Logo-02-Large.png?resize=1024,444 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1385px) 100vw, 1385px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How early access to resources helps reduce the risk of homelessness for justice-involved 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