{"id":5164,"date":"2026-07-14T14:41:28","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T14:41:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/?p=5164"},"modified":"2026-08-20T13:53:43","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T13:53:43","slug":"what-is-one-team","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/what-is-one-team\/","title":{"rendered":"What is One Team?"},"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\">What is One Team?<\/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 Jill Albanese, Director of Clinical Operations, VHA Homeless Programs Office<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>July 14, 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\/one-team\/\" rel=\"tag\">one team<\/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=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/07\/whatisoneteam.png\" alt=\"A group of cartoon hands doing the \u201chand\u2019s in\u201d huddle against a beige background with black text to the left that reads \u201cOne Team Operational Framework\u201d\" class=\"wp-image-5167\" style=\"width:900px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/07\/whatisoneteam.png 1920w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/07\/whatisoneteam.png?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/07\/whatisoneteam.png?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/07\/whatisoneteam.png?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/07\/whatisoneteam.png?resize=1536,864 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/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-8cf370e7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p>No Veteran should be homeless in the country they fought to defend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s why VA is committed to finishing the job of ending Veteran homelessness. It is our nation\u2019s duty to ensure that all Veterans have a place to call home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The VA Homeless Program Office\u2019s One Team Operational Framework directly supports this goal through a coordinated, community-wide approach that rapidly connects Veterans to health care and housing services.&nbsp;<\/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>Breaking barriers, focusing efforts<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>One Team is fundamentally about breaking down barriers to Veterans accessing the services they need and want to end their homelessness and pursue their goals. It improves on how VA, VA-funded organizations, community organizations, and other stakeholders work collaboratively to engage homeless and at-risk Veterans and connect them to the services those Veterans want and need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Driving this framework is the belief that it is a community\u2019s collective responsibility\u2014rather than the responsibility of any single program or provider\u2014to end Veteran homelessness. Thus, this framework encompasses activities ranging from individual Veteran housing and service plans to the specific collaborations required to achieve shared goals across an entire community.<\/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>Setting the vision for an end to Veteran homelessness<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>As part of the One Team Operational Framework, VA has developed operational outcomes and standards set forth a vision of how communities\u2019 homeless responses systems should function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Operational outcomes focus on describing essential elements and accomplishments of the community\u2019s response<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Standards serve as important indicators of how effectively that system is working on an ongoing basis.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Together, these operational outcomes and standards help communities drive down the number of Veterans experiencing homelessness to as close to zero as possible, while building systems that support long-term, lasting solutions that can effectively and efficiently respond to future needs.<\/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<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><strong><em>Operational Outcomes<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>These five qualitative statements describe the required system capacity and capabilities associated with an effective response end to Veteran homelessness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Operational Outcome 1: Identification of All Veterans:<\/strong> Comprehensive identification and engagement of all Veterans experiencing homelessness.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Operational Outcome 2: Immediate Shelter Provision:<\/strong> Capacity to immediately offer and provide low-barrier interim housing to any unsheltered Veteran who wants it, while assisting them to swiftly move to permanent housing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Operational Outcome 3: Rapid Access to Permanent Housing: <\/strong>Capacity to quickly move Veterans into permanent housing without barriers, applying housing-focused principles, with a permanent housing intervention identified for all Veterans.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Operational Outcome 4: Connections to Maintain Stability: <\/strong>Ability to connect Veterans to VA health care and other services to ensure long-term housing stability and reduce returns to homelessness.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Operational Outcome 5: Sustainability: <\/strong>Resources, plans, partnerships, and system capacity to address future needs and maintain a sustainable response system.<\/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<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><strong><em>Standards<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>These are quantitative measures that serve as important indicators of whether the system is working effectively on an ongoing basis, are meeting the expectations outlined in the Outcomes above, and is making meaningful reductions to the number of Veterans experiencing homelessness in the local community. The indicators are calculated using data from the community&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/what-is-a-by-name-list\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"5383\">by-name list<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Standard A:<\/strong> The number of Veterans experiencing homelessness has declined and there is an extremely low number of unsheltered Veterans.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Standard B: <\/strong>Veterans have quick access to permanent housing (average of 120 days or less from identification to move-in).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Standard C: <\/strong>The community has sufficient permanent housing placement capacity (number of Veterans exiting to permanent housing is greater than or equal to the number entering the homeless system).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Standard D: <\/strong>Returns to homelessness are minimal, with the number of Veterans returning to homelessness within 12 months below 10%.<\/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><strong>Building the team<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The One Team Framework is powered by seven domains that provide actionable steps necessary for successful implementation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Domain 1: Leadership Structure:<\/strong> Dedicated cross-partner leadership teams focused on improving services and housing outcomes for homeless and at-risk Veterans.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Domain 2: Outreach, Engagement and Same-Day Access: <\/strong>Coordinated outreach and engagement strategies that ensure all Veterans have direct access to health care and housing services.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Domain 3: By-Name List Management:<\/strong> Use of by-name lists to manage care coordination, prioritization policies and Veteran outcomes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Domain 4: Coordinated Entry and Housing-Focused Systems: <\/strong>Access and referral protocol that expedite housing linkages across access points and partners.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Domain 5: One Team Housing Fundamentals: <\/strong>Elevating coordination referral, enrollment and housing navigation services to expedite housing placements and retention supports.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Domain 6: Case Conferencing and Barrier Busting: <\/strong>Use of community-wide case conferencing to bust barriers and overcome Veteran-level housing challenges and delays in care.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Domain 7: Sustaining Long-Term Tenancies: <\/strong>Coordinated strategies to promote Veteran access to complementary and primary services that support tenancies, with a focus on primary care, income growth support, suicide prevention, and connections to other VA and community-based services and systems.<\/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><strong><strong>Join the (one) team<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Want to be part of the solution? Here are some ways you can help:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/one-team-toolkit\/\">One Team Toolkit<\/a> which you can use to implement the One Team Operational Framework in your community.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Learn more about the <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/7-essential-elements-to-end-veteran-homelessness\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"5178\">seven essential elements for ending Veteran homelessness<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Connect with your local VA homeless program. Email us at <a href=\"mailto:homelessvets@va.gov\">homelessvets@va.gov<\/a> to get connected.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\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-8cf370e7 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 wp-block-create-block-colored-spacer\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 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>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>The Homeless Programs Office\u2019s One Team Operational Framework guides coordination and interconnectivity between all VA and community-based homeless programs toward the joint mission to end Veteran 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