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Working Together to End Veteran Homelessness
“President Obama and I are personally committed
to ending homelessness among Veterans within the
next five years. Those who have served this nation
as Veterans should never find themselves on the
streets, living without care and without hope.”
–VA Secretary Eric Shinseki
Nov. 3, 2009
2
About Homelessness Among Veterans
How Many Veterans Are Homeless?
62,619 Veterans were homeless on a single night in 2012.
Of Veterans who were homeless, about 56 percent
(35,143 people) were sheltered and about 44 percent
(27,476 people) were unsheltered.
Veterans comprised 9.8 percent of all adults who were
homeless in 2012.
Homelessness among Veterans has declined by 7.2
percent since 2011 and by 17.2 percent since 2009.
4
Where Are They?
They’re in all 50 states, but the
highest concentrations are in
California, Texas, Florida,
Colorado, Georgia, and New
York.
49 percent are in major cities.
39 percent are in Continuums
of Care (CoCs) that represent
smaller cities, counties, and
regions.
13 percent are in CoCs that
represent an entire state or the
balance of a state.
Cities or counties with the highest population of Veterans who are homeless:
Los Angeles 6,371
New York City 3,790
San Diego 1,753
Las Vegas 1,303
Atlanta 1,232
Houston 1,162
Orange County, Calif. 869
Phoenix 852
Tampa 800
Seattle 796
5
Who Are They?
All Veterans
Average age is 51
83 percent have at least one chronic medical condition
55 percent have a drug or alcohol use disorder
Women and Families
Veterans who served in Iraq or Afghanistan and women Veterans
experienced higher homeless incidences after military separation
Veterans who are homeless, especially women, have experienced
military sexual trauma (MST)-related treatment more than the general
population of Veterans
What VA Is Doing to Prevent and End
Veteran Homelessness
Overview
VA’s goal is to end Veteran homelessness by the end of 2015.
VA serves Veterans who are homeless and at risk of becoming
homeless.
In fiscal 2013, VA expects to spend $4.4 billion on core health care
services for Veterans who are homeless and $1.4 billion on
specialized homeless programs.
Each VA medical center employs at least one homeless coordinator
who serves as a case worker and community liaison.
VA continues to build extensive partnerships within and outside of
government.
8
Partnerships
VA’s success comes from a variety of collaborations within VA
and throughout government.
Partnerships within VA Veterans Health Administration
Veterans Benefits Administration
National Cemetery Administration
Partnerships with other government agencies U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
U.S. Departments of Labor, Education, Justice, Defense, and Health and
Human Services
State Departments of Veterans Affairs
National Outreach Campaign
Promotes the resources available to Veterans who are homeless or at
risk of becoming homeless
Advertising and public service announcements: television, radio, and
out-of-home
Media relations: print, online, and broadcast media
Online advertising: Facebook, online banners, YouTube, and other
online channels
Partnership outreach: to local, state, and national organizations that
serve Veterans, people who are homeless, and related groups
Materials: brochures, posters, and promotional items for VA and
partner groups to distribute throughout communities
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Success Stories PSA Bus Shelter Ad
Target Audiences
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General public
Veterans who are homeless
Veterans and their families at risk of becoming homeless
Women Veterans
Veteran community and Veterans service organizations (The
American Legion, Veterans of American Wars, etc.)
Friends and relatives of Veterans who are homeless
First responders and front-line workers
Social service providers
Community organizations
Local and state government agencies
VHA and community medical providers
Community Partnerships
VA funds and supports community service providers: VA has 4,000 interagency collaboration agreements with community service providers to extend services to 2,418 shelters, soup kitchens, safe havens, welfare offices, and other locations. These agreements have spurred the development of additional housing resources.
13
VA creates partnerships to spur awareness: VA has also established partnerships to distribute information and create awareness of VA’s programs with more than 2,990 organizations.
1,070
423
403
210
176
168
128
97
92
86
53
39
34
8
8
4
2
Veterans Service Organization
Continuum of Care
Community-Based Organization
Faith-Based Organization
Homeless Shelter
Food Bank
Health Care Organization
Library
Government Agency
EMS/Firefighters
Law Enforcement
Chamber of Commerce
Judge/Public Defender
Educational Institution
Transportation Provider/Station
Veterans Court
Corporation
0 200 400 600 800 1,000 1,200
National Call Center for Homeless Veterans
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VA has established a toll-free number (877-
4AID-VET) and online chat
(www.va.gov/homeless) that… Exists as a simple point of entry for Veterans who are homeless or at-risk
of becoming homeless
Provides 24/7 services for Veterans who are homeless or in imminent
danger of losing their homes
Is staffed by trained responders who connect Veterans with
comprehensive, individualized services
Anyone can call for a Veteran in crisis
Is co-located with the Veterans Crisis Line to provide mental health
support
The Results
From fiscal 2011 to 2012
Total calls: up 123 percent
Calls from Veterans who
are homeless: up 65
percent
Calls from Veterans at risk
of becoming homeless: up
127 percent
Referrals to VA services:
up 132 percent
36,090
8,683
20,750 21,763
80,558
14,386
47,231
50,608
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
90,000
Total Calls Homeless Calls At Risk ofHomelessness
Calls
POC Referrals
FY11
FY12
How VA Serves Veteran Families and Children
Supportive Services for Veterans and Families (SSVF)
Helps Veterans and their families keep their homes or find housing quickly.
Provides case management, financial counseling, and temporary funds.
17
Supportive Services for Veterans and Families (SSVF), continued
Results of first round of awards ($60 million):
Served 35,363 people, exceeding the projection of 22,000
Of 21,393 Veteran participants, 3,285 are women (15.4 percent of Veterans
served)
Significant impact on Veteran families with 8,826 children assisted
3,335 Veteran participants served in Iraq or Afghanistan (15.6 percent of Veterans
served)
86 percent of those discharged (17,871 of 20,703) have permanent housing,
including 9,529 formerly homeless and 8,342 at-risk participants; another 9.4
percent (1,952) are in temporary or institutional settings
Average LOS for discharged participants is 93 days
In July 2012, VA made its second award of grants ($100 million) to 151 community agencies within 49 states and the District of Columbia
Additional $300 million to be awarded in Summer 2013
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Department of Housing and Urban Development - VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH)
Provides Section 8 housing vouchers coupled with long-term
case management, and supportive services focused on
Veterans.
19
Department of Housing and Urban Development - VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH), continued
Accomplishments to date:
More than 47,000 HUD-VASH vouchers were available from fiscal 2008-2012.
14 percent of HUD-VASH vouchers were provided to Veterans with children.
12 percent of HUD-VASH recipient Veterans are women.
Among women, 28 percent are housed with children.
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Grant and Per Diem (GPD)
Transitions Veterans to independent housing
VA’s largest transitional housing program: more than 600 projects providing
approximately 14,000 beds nationwide
Community-based transitional model including time-limited, wraparound
supportive services
Accomplishments to date:
[Should we delete or update?]In fiscal 2011, the GPD program
operationalized 111 new projects, providing an additional 2,015 transitional
housing beds.
In October 2011, VA awarded $10.3 million to 26 community-based projects
to continue to provide enhanced services for populations with special needs
(women, elderly, chronically mentally ill).
21
Other Key VA Programs for Veterans
Who Are Homeless or At Risk of
Becoming Homeless
Healthcare for Homeless Veterans (HCHV)
Three-pronged approach
Emergency housing and same-day placement of Veterans
with community-based residential treatment service
providers
Outreach
Case management
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Healthcare for Homeless Veterans (HCHV), continued
Low Demand/Safe Haven demonstration project provides transitional housing for
hard-to-reach homeless persons with mental illnesses and substance use
disorders
Low-demand, nonintrusive environment designed to establish trust and
eventually engage Veterans in treatment services and transitional and
permanent housing options
Selected demonstration sites include Boston; Bronx, N.Y.; Philadelphia;
and Bay Pines, Fla.
Accomplishments to date:
In fiscal 2012, VA deployed $5,425,394 in HCHV contract funding for Low
Demand/Safe Haven Programs as a demonstration project.
By end of the second quarter of fiscal 2012, 80 transitional beds were
operational at demonstration sites.
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Homeless Veteran Supported Employment Program (HVSEP)
Provides vocational assistance, job development and placement, and ongoing
support
Accomplishments to date:
7,128 Veterans received services through HVSEP
2,110 Veterans found work through HVSEP
Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist positions at VA
• 402 approved full-time positions
• 359 (89 percent) filled by Veterans who are or were homeless
• Approximately 25 percent of hires are women Veterans
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Homeless Veterans Outreach Coordinators
Each of the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)’s 57 regional offices has a homeless
Veterans outreach coordinator to work with Veterans, Veterans at risk of homelessness,
and their families. These coordinators also help prevent women Veterans and their families
from becoming homeless through coordination with VA’s women Veteran coordinators,
coordinate delivery of VA benefits access with local community homeless providers. and
ensure compensation and pension claims are expedited for Veterans who are homeless.
Progress to date:
During fiscal 2011, VBA field staff conducted more than 9,000 hours of outreach to
more than 38,250 Veterans who are homeless.
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Veterans Benefits Administration Increasing Efforts to Help Veterans Who Are Homeless
Entitlement for Veterans who are homeless is a key component of VA's plan to end
Veteran homelessness. All Veterans who are homeless and at risk of becoming homeless
must have easy access to review their eligibility and apply for VA benefits. Homeless
claims are expedited through processing at the regional offices, which includes requests
for military records from the Records Management Center in St. Louis.
Accomplishments:
The number of homeless claims processed continues to increase.
Fiscal 2009: 5,451
Fiscal 2010: 7,754 (42 percent increase over fiscal 2009)
Fiscal 2011: 11,197 (44 percent increase over fiscal 2010)
Fiscal 2012 (quarters 1 and 2): 5,685
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Veterans Benefits Administration Increasing Efforts to Help Veterans Who Are Homeless, continued
VA recognizes how important it is for Veterans to avoid foreclosure and will work with
Veterans to keep them in their homes. In cases where a loan servicer is unable to help a
Veteran borrower, VA loan guaranty has loan technicians in eight regional loan centers and
two special servicing centers who take an active role in interceding with the servicer to
explore all options to avoid foreclosure.
Nationwide, VA loans have had the lowest foreclosure rate and serious delinquency
rate for the past 16 and 13 quarters, respectively (per the Mortgage Bankers
Association National Delinquency Survey).
In fiscal 2011, VA helped 73,000 Veterans in default (83 percent) remain in their homes
or avoid foreclosure—a 10 percent increase over the number helped in fiscal 2010
(66,000 Veterans, or 76 percent).
In the past three years, VA has saved 176,577 Veterans and their families from
foreclosure, which means VA avoided $5.5 billion in claim payments.
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Where Do We Go From Here?
VA Fiscal 2013 Goals for Ending Homelessness Among Veterans
Reduce number of Veterans who are homeless to 47,000
Continue national outreach campaign
TV/radio public service announcements
Media buys: print, online, bus ads, billboards
Partnerships with national organizations and local
organizations in 15 target cities and all 50 states
Provide case management for 10,000 new HUD-VASH
voucher recipients and sustain case management for
more than 48,000 Veterans with existing vouchers
30
Your Role in Ending Homelessness
Among Veterans
What Can the Public Do?
Make the Call to 877-4AID-VET or visit
www.va.gov/homeless 24/7 services for Veterans who are homeless or in imminent danger of
losing their homes
Trained responders connect Veterans with comprehensive, individualized
services
Anyone can call for a Veteran in crisis
Co-located with the Veterans Crisis Line to provide mental health support
Refer Veterans to VA and connect them with a
homeless coordinator at a VA medical center
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What Can Your Organization Do?
Spread the word about VA’s initiative and VA’s
services Place an article in newsletters or publications
Post Facebook, Twitter, blog content on your sites
Add a banner ad or partner badge on your website
Distribute brochures, posters, wallet cards, tear cards
Educate your colleagues about what they can do to
help Veterans and their families
Stop by our table!
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What Are the Most Important Things to Know?
VA is committed to ending Veteran
homelessness by the end of 2015 but needs the
help of our partners.
The best way to help a Veteran who is homeless
or at imminent risk of becoming homeless is to
Make the Call to 877-4AID-VET.
Visit www.va.gov/homeless to learn about VA’s
services to help Veterans who are homeless or at
risk of becoming homeless.
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Join VA as a partner to prevent and end homelessness among Veterans and their families. Thank you!
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