{"id":5383,"date":"2026-07-30T14:07:51","date_gmt":"2026-07-30T14:07:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/?p=5383"},"modified":"2026-07-30T16:32:51","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T16:32:51","slug":"what-is-a-by-name-list","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/what-is-a-by-name-list\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a by-name list?"},"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 a by-name list?<\/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 30, 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\/bnl\/\" rel=\"tag\">BNL<\/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\/07\/bynamelist.png\" alt=\"An address book with the name field in focus. What is a by-name list?\" class=\"wp-image-5395\" style=\"width:900px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/07\/bynamelist.png 1200w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/07\/bynamelist.png?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/07\/bynamelist.png?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/07\/bynamelist.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-8cf370e7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p>A by-name list, or BNL, is a status-based roster of every Veteran experiencing homelessness in a community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It includes Veteran identifiers such as name and contact details, housing status, and<br>available information related to services needed. It ensures Veterans are identified quickly, connected to support, and never left behind.<\/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\">Why BNLs matter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A complete, accurate by-name list helps VA and our partners:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Understand <\/strong>how many Veterans experience homelessness in real time<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ensure<\/strong> every veteran is connected to housing, treatment, and health care<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Reduce <\/strong>unnecessary duplication across programs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Improve<\/strong> follow-ups so Veterans don&#8217;t fall through the cracks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Track<\/strong> progress toward ending Veteran homelessness<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Simply put: better data = better outcomes for helping homeless Veterans get and stay housed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:0px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer wp-container-content-c00f5982\"><\/div>\n<\/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\">\n<p><strong>BNLs do:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Help teams connect Veterans to housing and treatment faster. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Improve communication among VA and community partners.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ensure no Veteran is left behind.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>BNL&#8217;s don&#8217;t:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Track Veterans&#8217; movements<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Add new intrusive data<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Share information outside of the approved systems<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Monitor personal activities or health\/benefits usage<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/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<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 goes into a BNL?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A high-quality BNL brings together data from multiple sources to provide a more complete picture. These sources include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>VA&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/what-is-homes\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"3416\">Homeless Operations Management and Evaluation System<\/a>, or HOMES.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Local community Homeless Management Information Systems, or HMIS.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Existing Veteran BNLs that are managed by a local community or VA medical center.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>New homeless Veterans identified by VA or community outreach.<\/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\">How BNLs help Veterans<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Identify:<\/strong> Outreach and VA staff Identify Veterans experiencing homelessness.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Record:<\/strong> Veterans are included on the BNL from a variety of sources and data systems.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Reconcile: <\/strong>Data are checked for accuracy and opportunities for improvement.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Coordinate:<\/strong> VA and community partners use the list to match Veterans to housing programs, case management, healthcare, and employment and benefits support. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>House &amp; Support: <\/strong>Veterans move to stable housing with ongoing resources. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The BNL is the roadmap that guides Veterans from homelessness to housing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/02\/By-Name-Lists-Infographic_508c.pdf\">View this article as an infographic<\/a>. <\/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-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>How by-name lists help homeless and at-risk 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