VA Homeless Programs Office Monthly Newsletter | October 2024

NEWS THIS MONTH

---

A WORD FROM HPO EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR MONICA DIAZ

---

VA HOUSED MORE THAN 43,000 VETERANS THIS FISCAL YEAR

---

VA HOMELESS PROGRAMS FISCAL YEAR 2025 BUDGET

---

USICH RELEASES FEDERAL HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION FRAMEWORK

---

A Word from Monica Diaz

Executive Director, VHA Homeless Programs Office

Funding the fight against Veteran homelessness is a bit like putting together a puzzle. There are several pieces—of all different shapes and sizes—that need to fit together to arrive at the picture you see on the front of the box..

For the fiscal year (FY) that just began, FY 2025, the full picture
is $3.2 billion—a significant investment in ending the tragedy
of Veteran homelessness. With such a large figure, it’s understandable that people want to know where the money
is going.

READ MORE

 

Between October 2023 and August 2024, VA housed 43,116 Veterans experiencing homelessness, surpassing its fiscal year (FY) 2024 goal to house 41,000 Veterans one month before the end of the fiscal year. VA has also ensured that 96.3% of the Veterans housed so far this FY have not returned to homelessness, and engaged 38,476 unsheltered Veterans to ensure they have access to the housing and other wraparound services they need.

Have you ever wondered how much money goes toward Veteran homelessness — and what that money is used for? Learn how the approximately $3.2 billion budget is allocated, and how the money is used toward efforts to reduce, and ultimately end, Veteran homelessness.

The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) has announced the first federal framework for preventing homelessness. Called Ending Homelessness Before It Starts, it builds on lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic and recent innovative policies to help communities keep people in their homes.

Stopping a problem before it starts sounds like it requires time travel or movie magic, but sometimes it’s as simple as knowing the conditions that make the problem more likely. That’s the foundation of VA’s Help with Employment, Agency, Risk, Transitions and Housing (HEARTH) project. Learn how this national pilot program helped Keith Matthis, one of the first Veterans to benefit from the program.

HPO Spotlight: Danielle Mackey

“If you have a place where you can shut the door and keep
the world out for a little bit, you can hear your own thoughts, focus, and decide what your priorities are for yourself and
your life.”

As a HUD-VASH Social Worker at the Stratton VA Medical Center, Danielle Mackey is no stranger to prioritizing Housing First for the Veterans she serves. Read about her experiences as a social worker and the all-hands-on-deck mentality she uses in her work.

Millions of Americans are living with a mental health condition. Mental illness affects everyone directly or indirectly through family, friends, neighbors or coworkers. Too often, the emotional scars of service can contribute to Veteran homelessness or place Veterans at risk of homelessness.

In honor of Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) (October 6-12), learn about the mental health services available for Veterans through VA. For urgent assistance, reach out for help: 

• Veterans Crisis Line – Dial 988, then press 1, or text 838255 
• National Call Center for Homeless Veterans – Call 1-877-424-3838 (1-877-4AID-VET)  

Veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness are strongly
encouraged to contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans
at (877) 4AID-VET (877-424-3838) for assistance.