The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced Wednesday it has awarded more than $818 million in grants to help veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
The grants, to 235 organizations nationwide, will provide funding to help veterans access a wide variety of support, from affordable housing to health care and child care, according to a press release.
When approached for comment and additional information, the VA pointed Newsweek to the press release.
Why It Matters
Tens of thousands of U.S. veterans experience homelessness each year, but data shows the numbers are improving. VA statistics reveal the total number of veterans who experienced homelessness in 2024 was 32,882, a decrease of 7.5 percent compared to 2023.
The figure also marked the lowest number of homeless veterans counted since the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development first began reporting on veteran homelessness using the Point-in-Time (PIT) Count in 2019.
The VA also reported this year that, since 2010, there has been a 55.6 percent decrease in homeless veterans: a 56.2 percent decrease in sheltered homeless veterans and a 54.8 decrease in unsheltered homeless veterans.
Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP
What To Know
The VA said it awarded the funds through its Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program to hundreds of organizations.
The program provides case management and services intended to prevent homelessness, identify more suitable housing, or rapidly rehouse veterans and their families who are homeless and might remain homeless without assistance.
The department said that the grants would fund housing and housing counseling, health care, financial planning services, child care, legal assistance and transportation throughout fiscal year 2026.
This update comes following a number of other milestones and operational changes that affect veterans’ access to housing and benefits.
A separate announcement marked the department’s 29 millionth VA-backed home loan, which supports veterans with home ownership and gives them access to more affordable mortgages.
Outside of housing assistance, the VA has also recently announced the redirection of millions in former union-related spending toward veterans’ programs, and an update enabling mileage-only travel claims through the VA Health and Benefits mobile app.
What People Are Saying
VA Secretary Doug Collins: “Supportive services like child care, housing counseling and financial planning can be important catalysts for preventing or resolving homelessness. These grants will help bring crucial support to thousands of veterans in need across the nation.”
What Happens Next
The VA said the SSVF grants would support programs and services throughout fiscal year 2026 and any veterans experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness can contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838.
Those wanting to learn more about the housing initiatives can visit the VA Homeless Programs website for additional resources and information.
Update 8/28/25, 11:37 a.m. ET: This article was updated following response from the VA.
