Veteran Homelessness: Why Those Who Served End Up on the Streets

The Current State of Veteran Homelessness

According to the 2024 HUD Annual Homeless Assessment Report:

• • Approximately 35,574 veterans experienced homelessness on a single night
• • Veterans represent about 5% of the total homeless population
• • 88% of homeless veterans are male
• • The median age of homeless veterans is 54
• • Veteran homelessness has decreased 55% since 2010

Veterans are the only homeless subpopulation showing consistent long-term decline. This is not accident—it reflects sustained investment and coordinated effort. The success proves that homelessness can be solved when we commit resources and strategy.

However, progress has stalled in recent years. The 2024 count showed a slight increase after years of decline. Aging Vietnam-era veterans and younger post-9/11 veterans with combat trauma continue entering homelessness faster than programs can house them.

Why Veterans Become Homeless

Veterans face the same risk factors as other homeless populations—mental illness, addiction, poverty, lack of affordable housing. But military service creates additional vulnerabilities:

Combat Trauma and PTSD

Over 500,000 veterans live with PTSD. Combat exposure creates lasting psychological wounds:

• • Flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance that make normal life difficult
• • Difficulty forming and maintaining relationships
• • Self-medication with alcohol and drugs
• • Inability to hold employment due to symptoms
• • Moral injury from actions taken or witnessed in combat

Traumatic Brain Injury

TBI affects an estimated 400,000 post-9/11 veterans. The signature injury of Iraq and Afghanistan creates:

• • Cognitive difficulties affecting memory, concentration, and decision-making
• • Emotional dysregulation and impulse control problems
• • Chronic headaches and pain
• • Often co-occurring with PTSD, complicating treatment

Difficulty Transitioning to Civilian Life

Military service provides structure, purpose, and community. Leaving creates a void:

• • Loss of identity and sense of purpose
• • Military skills that do not translate to civilian jobs
• • Difficulty relating to civilians who do not understand military experience
• • Loss of the tight-knit community that military provides
• • Culture shock returning to unstructured civilian life

Service-Related Disabilities

Physical injuries create ongoing challenges:

• • Chronic pain limiting employment options
• • Opioid dependency from pain management
• • Mobility limitations requiring accessible housing
• • Healthcare needs exceeding VA capacity

Military Sexual Trauma

MST affects both men and women who served:

• • 1 in 3 female veterans and 1 in 50 male veterans report MST
• • Creates PTSD distinct from combat trauma
• • Often unreported due to stigma and institutional barriers
• • Associated with higher rates of homelessness

The Pathway to Homelessness

Veterans typically do not become homeless immediately after discharge. The median time between military service and homelessness is 5-7 years. The pathway usually involves:

• 1. Initial adjustment: Veteran returns and initially copes, often using substances or avoidance
• 2. Relationship strain: PTSD symptoms damage marriage and family relationships
• 3. Employment problems: Symptoms interfere with job performance or relationships at work
• 4. Escalating substance use: Self-medication becomes addiction
• 5. Relationship breakdown: Divorce or family estrangement eliminates support system
• 6. Job loss: Unable to maintain employment
• 7. Housing loss: Cannot afford rent without income or family support

Early intervention at any point in this cascade can prevent homelessness. By the time a veteran reaches the street, years of accumulated damage must be addressed.

What Works: Veteran-Specific Programs

The decline in veteran homelessness resulted from targeted programs and coordinated effort:

HUD-VASH

The HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program combines Housing Choice Vouchers with VA case management:

• • Over 100,000 vouchers issued since 2008
• • Housing retention rates above 85%
• • Combines housing subsidy with ongoing VA support
• • No sobriety or treatment requirements

SSVF (Supportive Services for Veteran Families)

Rapid rehousing and prevention program for veteran families:

• • Short-term rental assistance
• • Case management and connection to VA services
• • Prevention focus to stop homelessness before it starts
• • Served over 800,000 veterans since 2012

VA Healthcare for Homeless Veterans

The VA operates specialized programs:

• • HCHV (Health Care for Homeless Veterans) outreach and case management
• • Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans residential treatment
• • Grant and Per Diem transitional housing
• • Compensated Work Therapy employment programs

The Mayors Challenge

First Lady Michelle Obama's initiative mobilized communities:

• • Over 80 communities have achieved "functional zero" veteran homelessness
• • Coordinated community-wide approach
• • Real-time data tracking by-name lists
• • Demonstrated that ending homelessness is achievable

Why Veteran Programs Work

The success in reducing veteran homelessness offers lessons for broader efforts:

• • Dedicated funding: Billions of dollars specifically for veteran homelessness
• • Coordinated system: VA, HUD, and community organizations work together
• • Housing First approach: Get people housed, then address other issues
• • Wraparound services: Healthcare, mental health, employment integrated
• • Data-driven: By-name lists track every homeless veteran
• • Political will: Bipartisan support for helping veterans
• • Peer support: Veterans connecting with other veterans

The same approaches could work for non-veteran populations if we committed similar resources and coordination.

Gaps That Remain

Despite progress, challenges persist:

• • Women veterans: Fastest growing homeless veteran population, need specialized services
• • Rural veterans: Limited services outside urban areas
• • Other-than-honorable discharges: May not qualify for VA services
• • Aging Vietnam veterans: Growing healthcare needs
• • Post-9/11 veterans: Still entering homelessness years after service
• • Housing affordability: Vouchers do not help if no affordable units exist

How to Help Homeless Veterans

If you want to help veterans experiencing homelessness:

• • Connect them to VA: Call 1-877-4AID-VET to reach VA homeless services
• • Support veteran-specific organizations: Groups like the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans
• • Advocate: Support continued funding for HUD-VASH and SSVF
• • Employ veterans: Hiring provides income and purpose
• • Be a landlord: Rent to veterans with HUD-VASH vouchers

Our Commitment to Veterans

At The Steady Ground, we serve veterans alongside other homeless men. Our approach incorporates:

• • Comprehensive assessment through the Stronghold Assessment including military history and trauma
• • Coordination with VA services for eligible veterans
• • Trauma-informed care designed for combat and MST survivors
• • Peer support from other veterans who understand
• • Long-term program that allows time for deep healing
• • Services for those who do not qualify for VA programs

Every veteran who served deserves the chance to rebuild. We are committed to providing that chance.