Veteran Homelessness in Oklahoma: Statistics, Causes, and Resources

Oklahoma Veteran Homelessness by the Numbers

According to Point-in-Time count data, Oklahoma has made significant progress on veteran homelessness, though challenges remain:

• • In Tulsa's 2025 count, 10% of those surveyed were veterans
• • In Oklahoma City, approximately 7% of the homeless population are veterans
• • Oklahoma has approximately 280,000 veterans statewide
• • Nationally, veteran homelessness has decreased 55% since 2010
• • 88% of homeless veterans nationally are male

While these numbers represent real people in crisis, they also show that targeted interventions work. Veterans are the one homeless population that has seen consistent, dramatic reductions over the past decade. The programs that produced these results offer a model for addressing homelessness more broadly.

Why Veterans Become Homeless

The pathways to homelessness for veterans share some features with the general population but also have distinct patterns:

Combat Trauma and PTSD

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder affects approximately 11-20% of veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and 30% of Vietnam veterans. PTSD symptoms can make employment difficult, damage relationships, and lead to self-medication with alcohol or drugs. Without treatment, the condition often worsens over time.

Traumatic Brain Injury

TBI is sometimes called the signature wound of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Even mild TBI can cause lasting cognitive difficulties, mood changes, and problems with executive function that make maintaining employment and housing challenging.

Difficult Transition to Civilian Life

Military culture and skills do not always translate easily to civilian life:

• • Military skills may not have civilian equivalents
• • Chain of command and structure are replaced by ambiguity
• • Identity built around military service is lost
• • The brotherhood of service is hard to replicate
• • Civilian workplaces may feel trivial after combat experience

Substance Use

Many veterans develop substance use disorders as a way of coping with trauma. The military culture can normalize heavy drinking, and the transition period is particularly high risk. Substance use then creates additional barriers to employment and housing.

Physical Disabilities

Service-connected disabilities may prevent veterans from returning to their pre-service occupations. The disability compensation process can be slow and complicated, leaving veterans without income during the application period.

Resources for Oklahoma Veterans

Oklahoma has a robust network of services specifically for veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness:

VA Services

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  HUD-VASH: Combines Housing Choice Vouchers from HUD with VA case management. This is the primary program for housing chronically homeless veterans. Contact the VA OKC or VA Tulsa homeless programs to apply.
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  SSVF (Supportive Services for Veteran Families): Provides case management, housing assistance, and other support to prevent homelessness or rapidly rehouse veterans. Multiple providers operate SSVF in Oklahoma.
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  VA Health Care for Homeless Veterans: Provides health care, mental health services, and substance use treatment specifically for homeless veterans.
• •
  Grant and Per Diem Program: Funds transitional housing programs specifically for veterans. Several providers operate GPD beds in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma City Resources

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  Oklahoma City VA Health Care System: Full service VA medical center with homeless veteran services. Located at 921 NE 13th Street.
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  Homeless Alliance Veterans Resource Center: Coordinated entry for homeless services with veteran-specific staff.
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  Dorset Place: New veteran housing development with 70 units in the pipeline.

Tulsa Resources

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  Tulsa VA Outpatient Clinic: Located at 9322 E 41st Street with homeless veteran services.
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  A Way Home for Tulsa: Coordinates homeless services including veteran-specific resources.
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  SSVF Providers: Multiple agencies provide rapid rehousing and prevention services for veterans.

National Hotlines

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  National Call Center for Homeless Veterans: 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838). Available 24/7.
• •
  Veterans Crisis Line: 988, then press 1. For veterans in mental health crisis.

Why Veteran Programs Work

The success in reducing veteran homelessness offers lessons for addressing homelessness more broadly. Key factors include:

• • Dedicated funding: Federal commitment to ending veteran homelessness brought substantial resources
• • Coordinated systems: VA and community providers work together rather than in silos
• • Housing First approach: HUD-VASH provides permanent housing without preconditions
• • Wraparound services: Housing comes with case management, health care, and other supports
• • Political will: Bipartisan support for "ending veteran homelessness" created accountability
• • Clear measurement: Communities track progress toward functional zero veteran homelessness

These same principles could be applied to end homelessness for all populations if we chose to make the investment.

How You Can Help

If you want to support homeless veterans in Oklahoma:

• • Donate to local veteran service organizations that provide direct housing and services
• • Volunteer with organizations serving homeless veterans
• • Hire veterans in your business
• • Advocate for continued funding for veteran homelessness programs
• • If you see a veteran in need, connect them with the National Call Center: 1-877-424-3838

The Steady Ground and Veterans

Many of the men we serve at The Steady Ground are veterans. Our program is designed to address the specific challenges veterans face:

• • Trauma-informed care that understands combat trauma and military sexual trauma
• • Brotherhood and community that echoes the bonds of military service
• • Structure and accountability that veterans often respond well to
• • Clinical assessment that identifies individual needs including service-connected conditions
• • Coordination with VA services and benefits
• • Long-term residential program that provides the time needed for real change

The men and women who served our country deserve better than sleeping under bridges. We are committed to being part of the solution.