What a day can look like for a Veteran experiencing homelessness
Several factors shape how Veterans spend their days while experiencing homelessness
For a Veteran experiencing homelessness, every day is different. Where a Veteran goes and what they do can depend on the services available in their community; the weather, their health, their work schedule and whether they have a safe place to keep their belongings can all impact their access to services.
Safety, weather and daily needs shape each day
Many Veterans experiencing homelessness are working, including through temporary or seasonal jobs. Having a job, however, doesn’t necessarily mean a Veteran can afford housing. In communities with limited affordable housing, a paycheck may not be enough to cover rent, utilities, a security deposit and other expenses needed to obtain and maintain housing.
During the day, Veterans may move between places that help them meet basic needs and stay connected to resources. Day centers can provide essential supports, such as showers, laundry, food, classes and connections to services. Veterans may also have appointments for mental health or substance use treatment, work with staff to replace identification documents or meet with healthcare providers.
When deciding where to spend their day, Veterans may consider factors many people take for granted: Is the location safe? Can they keep an eye on their belongings? Is it crowded? Will they be welcomed there? Will it provide shelter from extreme heat, cold, rain or snow?
These concerns can be especially difficult when a Veteran is carrying everything they own. The possibility of theft or the loss of important belongings can influence where they go and whether they feel comfortable leaving their possessions unattended. Weather conditions can also shape these decisions, as Veterans may need to spend additional time locating places that provide shelter from extreme temperatures, rain or other hazardous conditions.
Healthcare can present another set of challenges. Some medications need to be kept cool, while others need to be taken at specific times, with food or with medical supplies like syringes, needles and monitors. Without reliable storage, transportation or a private place to take medication, following a treatment plan can become significantly more difficult.
Because these challenges overlap and vary from day to day, Veterans experiencing homelessness need flexible and tailored support systems and services that can meet them where they are.
Connecting Veterans to the right support
VA works with communities across the country to provide a range of housing interventions and supportive services designed to address the realities Veterans face each day. These programs and other VA and community resources help create pathways that meet Veterans where they are and connect them with the support they need to move toward stable housing:
Grant and Per Diem (GPD): Provides transitional housing and supportive services for Veterans who need a place to stay while working toward permanent housing.
Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV): Conducts outreach and helps Veterans experiencing homelessness connect to healthcare and other VA and community resources. HCHV also provides rehabilitative services, including case management and therapeutic transitional housing assistance by contracting with community providers.
Homeless Patient Aligned Care Teams (HPACTs): Provide primary care, mental health and other healthcare services in settings that are easier to access for Veterans experiencing homelessness, helping reduce barriers to getting care.
Mobile Medical Units: Bring healthcare directly to communities that need it most, reducing transportation and other logistical barriers that can make getting care difficult.
Community members can also play an important role in supporting Veterans experiencing homelessness.
Offering a hot meal, helping with transportation to an appointment, providing a ride to a day center or simply asking what they need can help a Veteran meet an immediate need and make it easier to access services. When appropriate, community partners can also help connect Veterans to VA and other local resources. The National Call Center for Homeless Veterans is available 24/7 at 877-424-3838 to connect Veterans and those who want to help them with trained responders who can identify available VA and community resources.
At VA, the goal isn’t simply to address a Veteran’s immediate housing needs. It’s to understand and respond to the circumstances that can make finding and maintaining housing difficult. By working with community partners and offering a range of housing and supportive services, VA is helping create pathways that meet Veterans where they are and connect them to the resources they need to move toward a safe, stable place to call home.
Learn about VA programs
If you are a Veteran who is homeless or at risk for homelessness or need to connect with a Veterans Justice Outreach specialist, call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838.
Learn more about one Veteran’s journey through illness, homelessness and healing.
Learn about the Seven Essential Elements to End Veteran Homelessness.
Visit the VA Homeless Programs website to learn about housing initiatives and other programs for Veterans exiting homelessness.
Get involved with housing homeless Veterans.
