VA awards $818 million in grants to combat Veteran homelessness

In a state defined by its rugged beauty and extreme temperatures, the battle for survival takes on a new meaning for Alaska's homeless veterans. Against a backdrop of glaciers and permafrost, men and women who served our country face a different kind of war, a daily fight against the elements.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) estimates that 40,056 veterans are homeless on any given night. Over the course of a year, approximately twice that many experience homelessness. Only 7% of the general population can claim veteran status, but nearly 13% of the homeless adult population are veterans.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), HUD, and the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness announced back in November a record low in Veteran homelessness since measurement began in 2009 and a 7.5% decrease since 2023. While strides have been made to end veteran homelessness, the VA continues to address the issue, announcing more than $818 million in grants to 235 organizations across the country to help Veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

VA awards grants based on a number of factors, including the grant recipients’ experience and past performance in providing supportive services to Veteran families, and the need in the area or community where the program will be based. Throughout fiscal year 2026, the grants will fund local organizations as they help Veterans access:

-Housing and housing counseling

-Health care

-Financial planning services

-Childcare

-Legal assistance

-Transportation

“Supportive services like childcare, housing counseling and financial planning can be important catalysts for preventing or resolving homelessness,” said VA Secretary Doug Collins said in a press release. “These grants will help bring crucial support to thousands of Veterans in need across the nation.”

The grants are being made available through VA’s Supportive Services for Veteran Families program, which provides case management and supportive services to: prevent the imminent loss of a Veteran’s home, identify new, more suitable housing situations for individuals and families, and rapidly re-house Veterans and their families who are homeless and might remain homeless without assistance.

To learn more, please visit www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf/index.html

If you are a Veteran who is experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-4AID-VET (877-424-3838). Visit the VA Homeless Programs website to learn about housing initiatives and other programs for Veterans exiting homelessness at www.va.gov/homeless