{"id":5178,"date":"2026-07-16T16:10:28","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T16:10:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/?p=5178"},"modified":"2026-08-10T13:41:07","modified_gmt":"2026-08-10T13:41:07","slug":"7-essential-elements-to-end-veteran-homelessness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/7-essential-elements-to-end-veteran-homelessness\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Essential Elements to End Veteran Homelessness"},"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\">7 Essential Elements to End Veteran Homelessness<\/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, VHA Homeless Programs Office<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>July 16, 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\/interim-housing\/\" rel=\"tag\">interim housing<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\"> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/tag\/landlords\/\" rel=\"tag\">landlords<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\"> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/tag\/one-team\/\" rel=\"tag\">one team<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\"> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/tag\/outreach\/\" rel=\"tag\">outreach<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\"> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/tag\/permanent-housing\/\" rel=\"tag\">permanent housing<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\"> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/tag\/prevention\/\" rel=\"tag\">prevention<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\"> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/tag\/transitional-housing\/\" rel=\"tag\">transitional housing<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\"> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/tag\/unsheltered\/\" rel=\"tag\">unsheltered<\/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=\"1280\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/07\/7essentialelements.png\" alt=\"A row of 6 wooden cut outs of houses, with a hand placing a 7th red cut out of a house with text overlay saying 7 essential elements to end Veteran homelessness.\" class=\"wp-image-5413\" style=\"width:900px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/07\/7essentialelements.png 1280w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/07\/7essentialelements.png?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/07\/7essentialelements.png?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/07\/7essentialelements.png?resize=1024,576 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/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>All across the country, Americans are passionate and committed to reducing and ultimately ending Veteran homelessness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And for good reason, too! No Veteran should be homeless in the country they fought to defend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But if you\u2019re going to end Veteran homelessness in your community, in your state, or in our country, you\u2019re going to need these seven essential elements.<\/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>1. Prevention services<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Founding father Benjamin Franklin once said, \u201cAn ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.\u201d And this is true for homelessness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Each day, many Veterans begin to experience homelessness. In fact, over the course of one year, tens of thousands of Veterans could start to experience homelessness for the first time. We often call this \u201cinflow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, to actually end Veteran homelessness, you not only need to move Veterans out of homelessness\u2014we call this \u201coutflow\u201d\u2014but also prevent Veterans from becoming homeless in the first place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When the \u201coutflow\u201d of Veterans exiting homelessness exceeds the \u201cinflow\u201d of Veterans becoming homeless, you start to see reductions! That&#8217;s where prevention comes in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/how-does-va-help-veterans-at-risk-of-homelessness\/\">Prevention services<\/a>&nbsp;assist Veterans who are at risk of homelessness (i.e., will become homeless within 30 days).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>VA\u2019s primary tool for homelessness prevention is our <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/supportive-services-for-veteran-families\/\">Supportive Services for Veteran Families<\/a> program, which provides:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Crisis resolution <\/strong>to address the immediate risk of housing loss.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Temporary financial assistance<\/strong>, which covers things like rental and utility arrears and other housing-related expenses.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Case management <\/strong>that assists Veteran households in connecting to necessary resources to achieve long-term housing stability.<\/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>2. Outreach<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This probably goes without saying, but to help homeless Veterans, you\u2019ve first got to find them!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At VA, <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/what-is-outreach\/\">outreach<\/a> to homeless and at-risk Veterans falls into two buckets:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Traditional Outreach<\/strong> (e.g., paid advertising, events, press releases, articles, video, social media): Effective for reaching Veterans at risk of homelessness and mobilizing secondary messengers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Direct Service Outreach<\/strong> (i.e., case management staff reach out to Veterans in the context of direct patient care): Effective for reaching literally homeless Veterans living in encampments and shelters.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Homeless Veterans have unique barriers to communication: no TV, telephones, internet, transportation, or mailing addresses. Addressing these unique barriers often requires clinical staff going out into the community to the sheltered and unsheltered settings where homeless Veterans live. You\u2019ll also need to mobilize secondary messengers such as the general public, homeless service providers, Veteran organizations, first responders, and others who may encounter homeless and at-risk Veterans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>VA\u2019s tools for outreach include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/stand-down-events\/\">Homeless Veteran Stand Downs<\/a>: 1- to 3- day resource fairs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/hchv\/\">Health Care for Homeless Veterans<\/a> (HCHV): direct service outreach to Veterans who are not currently receiving services and engaging them in treatment and rehabilitative programs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/hchv\/community-resource-and-referral-centers\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"1315\">HCHV Community Resource and Referral Centers<\/a>: one-stop access to community-based, multiagency services to promote permanent housing, health and mental health care, career development, and access to VA and non-VA benefits.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/veterans-justice-programs\/veterans-justice-outreach\/\">Veterans Justice Outreach<\/a>: direct service outreach to Veterans in jails.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/veterans-justice-programs\/hcrv\/\">Health Care for Reentry Veterans<\/a>: direct service outreach to Veterans in prisons.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/nationalcallcenter\/\">The National Call Center for Homeless Veterans<\/a>: 24\/7 hotline and live chat.<\/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>3. Interim housing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When you find homeless Veterans in need of support, many of them will be <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/what-is-unsheltered-homelessness\/\">unsheltered<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a concept, \u201cunsheltered homelessness\u201d may feel redundant, like saying chai tea, pita bread, or ATM machine. Aren\u2019t \u201cunsheltered\u201d and \u201chomeless\u201d the same thing?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>No! In fact, unsheltered homelessness is a specific kind of homelessness where Veterans live in places not meant for human habitation, such as cars, parks, sidewalks, abandoned buildings, and literally on the street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is in contrast to sheltered homelessness, where Veterans live in sheltered settings such as emergency shelters, transitional housing programs, or other supportive settings. These are short-term programs that provide case management and supportive services to set Veterans up for long-term success. We also call this temporary or <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/what-is-interim-housing\/\">interim housing<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/the-negative-health-impacts-of-unsheltered-homelessness\/\">Unsheltered homelessness is one of the most dangerous experiences a person can face<\/a>, so there\u2019s no time to delay in getting Veterans off the street and into interim housing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>VA\u2019s tools for interim housing include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/dchv\/\">Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans<\/a>: residential treatment for homeless Veterans.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/hchv\/contract-residential-services\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"5433\">HCHV Contracted Residential Services<\/a>: short-term emergency shelter and supportive services.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/hchv\/contract-residential-services\/#ldsh\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"5433\">HCHV Safe Havens<\/a>: safe haven-style emergency shelter for Veterans with serious mental illnesses.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/grant-per-diem\/\">Grant and Per Diem<\/a>: mid-to long-term transitional housing and supportive services.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>NOTE:<\/em><\/strong><em> Veterans living in interim housing are still homeless! You&#8217;re not done supporting them.<\/em>&nbsp;<\/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>4. Permanent housing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For basically all homeless Veterans, <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/what-is-permanent-housing\/\">permanent housing<\/a> is the goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cPermanent housing\u201d is more of our jargon and can feel a little confusing, especially after discussing interim housing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s not a Veteran\u2019s \u201cforever home.\u201d Instead, permanent housing describes places such as apartments or houses that Veterans could rent or own, often with financial subsidies to help make the housing affordable. Permanent housing also includes situations where Veterans are reunited with family and friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most importantly, when you move a Veteran into permanent housing, their experience of homelessness ends. <em>They\u2019re no longer homeless.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although all of VA\u2019s homeless programs support Veterans in obtaining permanent housing in one way or another, two tools get the most attention:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/supportive-services-for-veteran-families\/\">Supportive Services for Veteran Families<\/a>&nbsp;(SSVF): short-term rental assistance and supportive services.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/hud-vash\/\">Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing<\/a> (HUD-VASH): intensive case management and long-term rental assistance.<\/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>5. Landlords and multifamily property owners with affordable housing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It may surprise you, but VA can\u2019t build our own permanent housing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s not that it\u2019s not a good idea, but we lack the authority to do so. Executive Branch departments and agencies can only do the things Congress authorizes us to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s why we rely on strong partnerships with landlords and multifamily property owners who provide homeless Veterans with places to rent, either:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>When the Veteran has a HUD-VASH voucher.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When the Veteran is getting temporary financial assistance through SSVF.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When the Veteran is self-pay.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/landlords\/\">Learn more about how landlords can help end Veteran homelessness<\/a>.<\/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>6. Supportive services<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Although VA\u2019s homeless programs are housing-focused, <a href=\"https:\/\/news.va.gov\/145323\/va-homeless-programs-more-than-just-housing\/\" rel=\"noopener\">we\u2019re not just housing<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As anyone who has ever moved knows, once you get your keys to your new home, the work is just beginning. From finding furniture to learning the rhythms of a new neighborhood, settling into a new home can be equal parts exciting and overwhelming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To help Veterans maintain permanent housing and have long-lasting stability, you\u2019ll need to connect them to robust supportive services provided within VA homeless programs, throughout the Veterans Health and Benefits administrations, or within the community. These include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Case management through VA homeless programs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mental health and substance use treatment through <a href=\"https:\/\/mentalhealth.va.gov\/\" rel=\"noopener\">VA mental health<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Medical care through <a href=\"https:\/\/www.patientcare.va.gov\/primarycare\/index.asp\" rel=\"noopener\">VA medical centers<\/a> or special <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/hpact\/\">Homeless Patient Aligned Care Teams<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Employment assistance through <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/employment\/\">Homeless Veterans Community Employment Services<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Legal assistance through <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/legal-services-for-veterans\/\">Legal Services for Veterans<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Food assistance through the <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/food-security-office\/\">Food Security Office<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dental care through the <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/homeless-veterans-dental-program\/\">Homeless Veterans Dental Program<\/a><\/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>7. Working together as One Team<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>All of these elements are necessary, but they\u2019re not sufficient to end Veteran homelessness in your community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s because these elements are distributed across different groups: VA, nonprofits, faith groups, your city and county government, and others. Each of these groups has its own mission, its own performance metrics, and its own stakeholders it is accountable to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, coordination among these groups can be difficult for a number of reasons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Communication barriers amongst group members.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Discouragement over a perceived lack of immediate progress being made.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The need for certain groups to give up some power or autonomy for the greater good.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>But getting these different groups coordinated, all with their own missions, visions, and goals for the future, is absolutely essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s where our <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/what-is-one-team\/\">One Team Operational Framework<\/a> comes in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One Team is fundamentally about guiding how these groups work together toward a shared mission to end Veteran homelessness in your community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Driving this framework is the belief that it is your community\u2019s collective responsibility\u2014rather than the responsibility of any single program or provider\u2014to end Veteran homelessness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The framework includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Operational outcomes<\/strong> that focus on describing needed components and accomplishments of your community\u2019s response system.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Standards<\/strong> that serve as important indicators of how effectively your system is working on an ongoing basis.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Domains <\/strong>that provide you with actionable steps necessary for successful implementation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This framework also relies heavily on <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/what-is-a-by-name-list\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"5383\">by-name lists<\/a>\u2014status-based rosters of every Veteran experiencing homelessness in a 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>Join the (one) team<\/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&nbsp;<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>Connect with your local VA homeless program. Email us at&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:homelessvets@va.gov\">homelessvets@va.gov<\/a>&nbsp;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>To truly end Veteran homelessness, you\u2019ll need these critical interventions<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":201,"featured_media":5413,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"priority":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[11,72,29,41,48,91,14,8],"class_list":["post-5178","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured-articles","tag-interim-housing","tag-landlords","tag-one-team","tag-outreach","tag-permanent-housing","tag-prevention","tag-transitional-housing","tag-unsheltered"],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/7-essential-elements-to-end-veteran-homelessness\/","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"7 Essential Elements to End Veteran 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