VA Announces 15% Decrease in Homelessness Among Veterans

The number of veterans homeless on a typical night has declined 15 percent in the past year, thanks to the services offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and its partners in community- and faith-based organizations, plus changing demographics and improvements in survey techniques.

The reduction of homeless veterans from more than 154,000 to about 131,000 was revealed in the 15^th annual Community Homeless Assessment, Local Education and Networking Group (CHALENG) report on homeless veterans.

The decline in veterans' homelessness was attributed, in part, to improved methodology, VA program interventions, changing demographics, and recent events such as the recovery from Hurricane Katrina in the south.

The report also showed a 24 percent increase in the number of homeless veterans with families over the number of homeless veterans with families in 2007, from 1,038 to 1,282. While still only a fraction of the approximately 70,000 veterans seen by VA specialized homeless programs over the course of a year, this increase may reflect the impact of the HUD-VASH expansion which allows VA staff to work with veterans and their families in Section 8 housing placement.

Research suggests long-term housing, dental, medical, and mental health care are central to the rehabilitation of the homeless. Homeless veterans' responses in the CHALENG survey indicate that many of these critical needs are either well "met" or, as in the case of housing are becoming increasingly met. The VA's highly integrated health care model has made medical, dental and mental health treatment readily available to Veterans. Homeless veterans in this year's CHALENG report identified nine of their top ten unmet needs as a legal, financial or family issue.

To view the 2008 CHALENG report in its entirety, click here.

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