Project CHALENG - VA Homeless Programs
Attention A T users. To access the menus on this page please perform the following steps. 1. Please switch auto forms mode to off. 2. Hit enter to expand a main menu option (Health, Benefits, etc). 3. To enter and activate the submenu links, hit the down arrow. You will now be able to tab or arrow up or down through the submenu options to access/activate the submenu links.
Attention A T users. To access the combo box on this page please perform the following steps. 1. Press the alt key and then the down arrow. 2. Use the up and down arrows to navigate this combo box. 3. Press enter on the item you wish to view. This will take you to the page listed.
Menu
Menu
Veterans Crisis Line Badge
My healthevet badge

VA Homeless Programs

 

Project CHALENG

Outreach Programs

Project CHALENG

The CHALENG Process: Identifying and Meeting the Needs of Homeless Veterans

The 2022 CHALENG survey on Veterans Homelessness is open. Veterans, Community, Partners, VA Staff, Take survey

Project CHALENG (Community Homelessness Assessment, Local Education and Networking Groups) unites homeless service providers, advocates, Veterans and concerned citizens toward the goal of meeting the evolving needs of Veterans who are homeless.

This process describes the needs of homeless Veterans, identifies the barriers they face in obtaining permanent housing and works to resolve them through planning and cooperative action.

Since 1994, CHALENG has built thousands of partnerships—involving community and Veterans’ groups, law enforcement agencies and federal, state and local government—that are improving services for homeless Veterans. Project CHALENG has two main components:

  • CHALENG surveys that assess local challenges faced by homeless Veterans, identify unmet needs and encourage partnership action to meet those needs
  • CHALENG meetings fostering collaboration between VA and community service providers to address CHALENG-identified barriers to housing Veterans who are homeless and preventing homelessness among Veterans

Data from CHALENG has assisted VA in developing new services for Veterans, including the Homeless Veteran Dental Program, the expansion of the Department of Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing program, the Veterans Justice Outreach programs and the Supportive Services for Veteran Families program. Community organizations also use CHALENG data in applications for grants that assemble VA, other government and foundation dollars to address the local needs of Veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

More Information

cell phone icon

Make the Call

Dial 1-877-4AID-VET
(1-877-424-3838)

Access VA’s services for homeless and at-risk Veterans, available 24/7.

chat bubble icon

Chat Online

Homeless Veteran Chat

Confidential, 24/7 online support for Veterans and friends

Chat Now

cell phone icon

VA Medical Center
(VAMC) Locator

Locate Your Local
VA Medical Center Now

Veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness can call or visit their local VA Medical Center (VAMC) and ask for a Homeless Coordinator. Use the VA locator tool www.va.gov/directory to find your nearest VAMC and call or visit today.

return to top go