Homelessness & Crisis Resources
If you are a veteran experiencing or at risk of homelessness, help is available right now. The VA and community organizations have programs designed specifically for you.
Immediate help
Need Help Right Now?
These resources are available 24/7.
National Call Center for Homeless Veterans
1-877-424-383824 hours a day, 7 days a week — free and confidential
Housing Programs
VA Housing Programs
The VA offers several housing programs from emergency shelter to permanent rental assistance. Each program serves different needs.
- 1
HUD-VA Supportive Housing
HUD-VASH
Rental voucher + VA case management for permanent housing
HUD-VASH is a joint program between HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) and the VA. It combines a HUD Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher — which pays a portion of your rent to a private landlord — with ongoing VA case management and supportive services. The goal is to help homeless veterans obtain and maintain permanent housing in the community.
What It Provides
- Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher: pays a significant portion of rent directly to a private landlord
- VA case management: a dedicated case manager who helps with health care, mental health, substance use treatment, benefits, and employment
- You choose your own housing — apartment, house, or other rental that accepts Section 8 vouchers
- Ongoing supportive services for as long as you need them
- Health care and mental health treatment through the VA
- Help maintaining stable housing and connecting with community resources
How to Access
- Call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans: 1-877-424-3838 (24/7)
- Visit your local VA Medical Center and ask for the Homeless Veteran Coordinator
- Go to any VA Emergency Department if you need immediate help
- Community organizations and shelters can also refer you to HUD-VASH
- Use va.gov/find-locations/ to find your nearest VA Medical Center
- 2
Supportive Services for Veteran Families
SSVF
Rapid re-housing and homelessness prevention
SSVF provides case management and supportive services to prevent homelessness and promote housing stability for very low-income veteran families. Unlike HUD-VASH (which focuses on chronically homeless veterans), SSVF focuses on rapid re-housing — getting you into stable housing quickly — and prevention — keeping you from losing your housing in the first place.
What It Provides
- Rapid re-housing: temporary financial assistance to quickly move into stable permanent housing
- Homelessness prevention: help with rent, utilities, and other costs to prevent eviction or loss of housing
- Security deposits and first/last month's rent assistance
- Utility payment assistance (gas, electric, water)
- Moving costs and transportation to housing-related appointments
- Case management and housing counseling
- Referrals to legal services, childcare, financial planning, and other resources
- Connection to VA health care, mental health, and substance use treatment
- Employment assistance and job training referrals
- Emergency housing assistance for temporary shelter needs
How to Access
- Call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans: 1-877-424-3838
- Find SSVF providers near you: va.gov/homeless/ssvf/
- Contact your local VA Medical Center and ask for homeless veteran services
- Community organizations (shelters, churches, legal aid societies) can connect you to SSVF
- SSVF providers are community-based nonprofit organizations — the VA funds them through grants
- 3
Grant and Per Diem Program
GPD
Transitional housing for up to 24 months
The Grant and Per Diem (GPD) program funds community-based organizations that provide transitional housing and supportive services to homeless veterans. GPD serves as a bridge between homelessness and permanent housing — giving veterans a stable place to live while they work on employment, treatment, and finding permanent housing.
What It Provides
- Transitional housing (a bed, meals, and a structured living environment) for up to 24 months
- Supportive services: case management, mental health, substance use treatment, life skills training
- Employment assistance and vocational training
- Connection to permanent housing programs (HUD-VASH, SSVF, or independent housing)
- Specialized programs for women veterans, veterans with families, and veterans in recovery
- Bridge Housing: short-term housing (typically up to 90 days) while waiting for permanent housing placement
- Low Demand: housing with fewer requirements for participation — designed for veterans who are reluctant to engage in traditional programs
- Clinical Treatment: housing focused on specific treatment needs (substance use, mental health, etc.)
How to Access
- Call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans: 1-877-424-3838
- Contact your local VA Medical Center's Homeless Veteran Coordinator
- Contact community organizations that operate GPD transitional housing in your area
- Many GPD providers accept referrals from shelters, other VA programs, and community agencies
- 4
Health Care for Homeless Veterans
HCHV
Outreach, health care, and residential treatment
Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) is the VA's frontline outreach program for reaching homeless veterans who are not currently connected to any services. HCHV teams go out into the community — to shelters, encampments, soup kitchens, and other locations — to find veterans and connect them with VA health care, housing, and benefits.
What It Provides
- Community outreach: VA staff go to locations where homeless veterans are (shelters, streets, resource centers) to make direct contact
- Health care assessments and enrollment assistance
- Mental health screening and referrals to treatment
- Substance use treatment referrals
- Contract Residential Treatment: placement in community-based residential treatment facilities for veterans with serious mental health diagnoses
- Connection to housing programs (HUD-VASH, SSVF, GPD) and other VA benefits
- Many HCHV programs operate as a central hub for all homeless veteran services at the local VAMC
How to Access
- Call 1-877-424-3838 (National Call Center for Homeless Veterans)
- Visit your nearest VA Medical Center and ask for the HCHV program or Homeless Veteran Coordinator
- Use va.gov/find-locations/ to find your nearest VAMC
- If you see a veteran who needs help, you can also call on their behalf
Employment
Employment Resources
Getting back to work is a critical part of housing stability. These programs help veterans find and maintain employment.
HVRP (Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program)
The only federal program exclusively focused on employment for homeless veterans. Funded by the Department of Labor and operated by community organizations.
Contact your local VA Medical Center's Homeless Veteran Coordinator or call 1-87...
CWT (Compensated Work Therapy)
A VA clinical vocational rehabilitation program that provides work opportunities for veterans with physical or mental health challenges, including those experiencing homelessness.
Ask your VA treatment team for a CWT referral, or contact the CWT program at you...
VR&E (Veteran Readiness & Employment)
The VA's comprehensive vocational rehabilitation program for veterans with service-connected disabilities. Covers tuition, training, job placement, and subsistence allowance.
Apply online at VA.gov using VA Form 28-1900, or contact your local VA Regional ...
Department of Labor — VETS Program
The Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) provides employment resources and protections for all veterans, not just those experiencing homelessness.
Visit your nearest American Job Center (find one at careeronestop.org or call 1-...
Legal Aid
Free Legal Resources
Legal issues can be both a cause and consequence of homelessness. Free help is available.
Veterans Legal Clinics
Many law schools, bar associations, and nonprofit organizations operate free legal clinics specifically for veterans.
- Free legal representation for veterans on VA benefits, discharge upgrades, housing, and family law
- Over 170 law school clinics nationwide with veteran-specific programs
- Legal aid societies in most major cities have veteran-dedicated staff
- The VA awarded $84 million in FY2025 for legal services grants to organizations serving homeless veterans
Discharge Upgrade Assistance
Former service members with Other Than Honorable, Bad Conduct, or General discharges may be able to request a discharge review or correction. A change can affect eligibility for some programs, but each board and benefit applies its own rules.
- Each military branch has a Discharge Review Board (DRB) that can change the characterization of discharge
- You can apply within 15 years of discharge for a DRB review (VA Form DD-293)
- After 15 years, or for more serious upgrades, apply to the Board for Correction of Military Records (BCMR) using DD-149
- Many veterans legal clinics specialize in discharge upgrades — this is one of the most impactful pro bono services available
VA Debt Relief Options
If you owe money to the VA (overpayments, copays, etc.), there are options to manage or resolve the debt without losing your benefits.
- Request a waiver: if paying the debt would cause financial hardship, you can request the VA waive (forgive) all or part of it
- Request a compromise: offer to pay a reduced amount to settle the debt in full
- Set up a payment plan: pay the debt in manageable installments
- Request a hearing: if you disagree with the debt, you can dispute it and have it reviewed
Prevention
Prevention Is Better Than Crisis
If you're struggling but not yet homeless, these steps can help stabilize your situation.
- 1
File for benefits now
VA disability compensation, pension, and health care can provide the financial foundation to prevent housing instability. Many veterans don't realize they're eligible.
→ If you aren't ready to submit the completed application, ask a VSO whether an Intent to File fits your situation. It may protect a potential effective date when VA receives the application for the same benefit within 1 year.
- 2
Know the warning signs
Housing instability often starts gradually: late rent payments, utility shutoffs, increasing credit card debt, borrowing from family. If you're struggling, don't wait until you're on the street to ask for help.
→ Call SSVF providers (via 1-877-424-3838) for homelessness prevention assistance before you lose your housing.
- 3
Connect with VA health care
Health, mental-health, and substance-use care can be an important part of housing stability. VA health-care eligibility, priority group, and copays depend on the person and type of care.
→ Check VA health-care eligibility at va.gov/health-care/ or call 1-877-222-8387.
- 4
Use your education benefits
Some GI Bill and Veteran Readiness and Employment paths can include tuition or training support and a housing or subsistence payment. Eligibility and payment rules differ by program and enrollment.
→ Check your remaining GI Bill benefits at va.gov or apply for VR&E (VA Form 28-1900) if you have a service-connected disability.
- 5
Build a support network
Isolation is a risk factor for homelessness. Connecting with veteran organizations, peer support groups, or community resources creates a safety net.
→ Reach out to a VSO, Vet Center, or veteran peer support group in your area. Find Vet Centers at va.gov/find-locations/.
Stand Down Events
Stand Down events are one- to three-day resource fairs held in communities across the country, specifically for homeless and at-risk veterans. They bring together VA services, community organizations, and volunteers to provide a wide range of help in one location.
- Free medical and dental screenings
- Haircuts, clothing, and personal hygiene supplies
- VA benefits enrollment and claims assistance
- Legal aid (discharge upgrades, VA appeals, housing disputes)
- Employment assistance and job fairs
Contact your local VA Medical Center, call 1-877-424-3838, or search online for 'veteran Stand Down' events in your area. Events are typically held annually in most major cities.
Related Resources
Build your next route
Not sure what applies to you?
Tell Wayfinder what's going on. It returns a focused route: what to do now, what to gather, and where to go next.
- Do now
- Gather
- Go next