No one should be homeless, including veterans who served our country. Unfortunately, homeless veterans do exist.
The Point-in-Time (PIT) count estimates the number of Americans without safe, stable housing. The annual effort is led by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). According to https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/pit_count.asp, it is one tool that is used to assess yearly progress of the VA’s priority goal of ending veteran homelessness. Per the 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report: Part 1: Point-in-Time Estimates shared by HUD, “the report found more than 770,000 people were experiencing homelessness on a single night in January 2024, an 18% increase from 2023.” The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) further reported that the total number of veterans in the United States who experienced homelessness was 32,882. The number decreased by 7.5% since 2023.
The effort to combat veteran homelessness is far from over. A tool to help homeless veterans obtain permanent housing is called HUD-VASH. The VA noted that the collaborative program between HUD and the VA, “pairs HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rental assistance with VA case management and supportive services to help homeless veterans and their families obtain permanent housing and access the health care, mental health treatment, and other supports necessary to help them improve their quality of life and maintain housing over time.”
John Clow, the Assistant Chief of Social Work, Community Integration Services at VA Maryland Health Care System provides additional insight about veteran homelessness and connecting locally to resources and HUD-VASH.
First, it is essential to understand who can be classified as a homeless veteran. Clow stated that any veteran who is street homeless without shelter or a veteran who lives in temporary housing, such as transitional housing, or contract housing, or anywhere where they do not have a permanent lease would fit the criterion.
HUD and the VA work together to implement HUD-VASH. The housing voucher is based on a sliding fee scale to calculate a veteran’s monthly rent, which is based on how much income a veteran has available. Public housing authorities distribute vouchers in each county. “It is a permanent supportive housing program,” Clow shared. “Obviously, if you have a significant income, you wouldn’t be eligible.”
The VA provides healthcare components, including the program’s case management facet.
Clow explained that any homeless veteran is eligible for HUD-VASH, other than lifetime sex offenders.
He also confirmed that veterans who want to apply for HUD-VASH need their birth certificate; social security card; DD 214; and proof of income from Social Security or from the VA.
When homeless veterans need help obtaining the aforementioned documents, upon being referred to the HUD-VASH program, a case manager at the VA’s Community Resource and Referral Center (CRRC), located at 209 West Fayette Street in Baltimore can assist them with securing what is needed.
“They (homeless veterans) can come into the homeless walk-in clinic, Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 3 p.m.,” said Clow, adding that the clinic is located on the second floor.
Daily lunches; perishable food items; referrals to community agencies; access to a nurse practitioner who can assist in getting veterans back on their medications; a psychologist on staff who assists veterans with getting connected to the mental health clinic or assisting with any mild to moderate psychiatric issues; shower facilities; laundry services, and clothing are available there, in addition to the ability to obtain a housing assessment by a social worker within the CRRC.
Clow said that the approval time to secure HUD-VASH housing is much quicker than HUD’s regular Section 8 voucher process, although the time it takes for a veteran to obtain a voucher can vary.
Veterans who are waiting for permanent housing in Baltimore may access other resources such as transitional housing programs at MCVET and Baltimore Station, and two contract housing programs, in addition to emergency shelters.
Clow added, “Then, Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) also has a rapid rehousing program that they can go to.”
Veterans Village at Perry Point rents units through project-based HUD-VASH vouchers. A veteran in the HUD-VASH program who has one must stay in a unit at Perry Point Veterans Village. The beautiful location fills up quickly and currently does not have vacancies.
Photo credit: VA Maryland Health Care System
Inflation and rising rent prices have made finding landlords with affordable housing more difficult. Clow said that HUD-VASH has a housing specialist on the team who contacts landlords on the veteran’s behalf if the veteran wants assistance finding a HUD-VASH housing provider.
“We pretty much accept anybody who is struggling with housing issues,” said Clow, referring to veterans.
Obtain more information about the VA Maryland Health Care System via www.maryland.va.gov and the CRRC by visiting https://www.va.gov/maryland-health-care/locations/baltimore-va-clinic. Reach the VA’s National Call Center for Homeless Veterans by calling 877-424-3838.