At Warriors Fund, our mission is grounded in the belief that no veteran should ever face homelessness after serving their country. While the national conversation around homelessness has grown louder in recent months, the specific plight of veterans remains one of the most pressing — and often overlooked — challenges. As a nonprofit dedicated to supporting veterans through community connection and advocacy, Warriors Fund is committed to raising awareness and promoting lasting solutions that ensure every veteran has a place to call home.
The Numbers Behind the Crisis
Recent data shows a mix of progress and concern. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the number of veterans experiencing homelessness in America dropped to 32,882 in January 2024, marking a 7.5% decrease from the previous year and the lowest count since the government began tracking it. Of that total, 13,851 veterans were unsheltered, representing a 10.7% drop in veterans living without shelter.
This success is especially notable when contrasted with overall homelessness trends in the U.S. While veteran homelessness decreased, total homelessness across the country increased by 18%, the highest on record. As highlighted in the VA’s January 2025 newsletter, this contrast underscores how targeted programs can make a real difference even during a broader housing crisis.
Why Veteran Homelessness Happens
Veterans face a unique set of challenges that make them more susceptible to homelessness. These include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance use disorders, social isolation, lack of affordable housing, and difficulty adjusting to civilian life. Unlike the general population, many veterans carry the weight of invisible wounds from service that can make everyday stability harder to achieve.
At Warriors Fund, we believe awareness is the first step toward action. By understanding the scale and complexity of veteran homelessness — and recognizing that behind each number is a human life — we can build a future where no veteran is left without shelter, support, or a sense of belonging.
A Strategy That Works: Housing First & One Team
The decline in veteran homelessness isn’t a coincidence — it’s the result of strategic, coordinated interventions. Chief among these is the “Housing First” model adopted by the VA. This approach prioritizes permanent housing as a foundation for addressing other challenges like mental health, employment, or addiction, rather than making housing contingent on recovery milestones.
This is supported by the “One Team” philosophy, a strategy that promotes collaboration across federal, state, and local systems to ensure a veteran’s needs are met quickly and holistically. It reduces red tape and gets veterans into homes faster.
Tools That Make a Difference: HUD-VASH and SSVF
Programs like HUD-VASH — a joint effort between the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the VA — are key to this progress. HUD-VASH combines housing vouchers with supportive case management and healthcare access, helping veterans maintain long-term housing.
In addition, the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program works to prevent homelessness before it happens by providing temporary financial assistance, legal aid, and help navigating housing systems. SSVF has been particularly effective for very low-income veteran families on the brink of crisis.
Local Impact: A Look at Los Angeles
In areas like Los Angeles, where veteran homelessness has been historically high, focused action is working. A 22.9% reduction in the city’s veteran homelessness rate was achieved through expanded landlord outreach and faster placement of eligible veterans. This kind of targeted local response shows what’s possible when strategy meets action.
Who’s Being Left Behind?
Even with these victories, gaps remain. One major concern is the rising number of aging homeless veterans. According to the VA’s Office of Homelessness Programs, the population of homeless veterans aged 65 and older is expected to grow significantly over the next decade. This group often deals with chronic illness, physical limitations, and fixed incomes — all of which make stable housing even harder to secure.
Another underrepresented group is female veterans. As the VA’s research on homelessness shows, women who served face higher risks due to factors like military sexual trauma, single parenthood, and gender-based disparities in housing and support services.
Finally, rural veterans often experience isolation, limited transportation, and a shortage of affordable housing or supportive services in their area — all of which compound their risk of becoming unhoused.
What Needs to Happen Next
To sustain and expand the progress we’ve seen, several steps are essential:
A Future Without Homelessness
At Warriors Fund, we remain committed to advocating for the men and women who served our country. The recent decline in veteran homelessness proves that when communities work together — with strong strategies and compassionate outreach — real change is possible. But the fight isn’t over.
We will continue to stand beside our veterans, raise awareness, and support systems that make lasting impact — because every veteran deserves more than gratitude. They deserve a home.
