VA programs for homeless veterans

The VA has special programs that help hundreds of thousands of Veterans each year who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

These programs include:

• Housing vouchers and support services to help Veterans and their families find and keep permanent housing. (HUD-VASH program)

• Transitional housing and service centers run by state, local, tribal governments, and nonprofits to give Veterans a safe place to stay.

• Residential care for Veterans—both sheltered and unsheltered—who have serious health, recovery, or daily living challenges. The goal is to build independence and peer support. (Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans, or DCHV)

• Employment help from Community Employment Coordinators (CECs), who connect Veterans with job opportunities. (Homeless Veteran Community Employment Services, or HVCES)

• Work and job training programs that give Veterans temporary work and support as they move toward steady employment. (Compensated Work Therapy, or CWT)

• Outreach, case management, and treatment services to help Veterans move from the streets or institutions into stable housing. (Health Care for Homeless Veterans, or HCHV)

• Community-based clinics and resource centers at VA medical centers that bring together health care, social services, and community resources for Veterans. (Homeless Patient Aligned Care Teams, or HPACTs)

• Dental care through the Homeless Veterans Dental Program, with ongoing efforts to expand access for all eligible Veterans.

• Support for justice-involved Veterans with mental health or substance use challenges. Specialists help them get VA services and transition from prison back into the community. (Veterans Justice Outreach, or VJO, and Health Care for Reentry Veterans, or HCRV)

You can learn more about these programs below and on VA’s Programs for At-Risk Veterans and Their Families page.