VA Homeless Programs Office Monthly Newsletter | January 2025

NEWS THIS MONTH

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A WORD FROM HPO EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR MONICA DIAZ

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INFOGRAPHIC: THE STATE OF VETERAN HOMELESSNESS 2024

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HOUSING PROGRAMS PUT VETERAN ON PATH TO PERMANENT HOME

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GRANTS, MAYOR’S PLEDGE TO HELP VETERANS FACING HOMELESSNESS

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A Word from Monica Diaz

Executive Director, VHA Homeless Programs Office

Now that we’re through the holiday season, I never want to wrap anything ever again—but there is one last thing I need to put a bow on.

We have already announced some major accomplishments from fiscal year (FY) 2024, but our recently completed State of Veteran Homelessness 2024 infographic brings them all together. You could call it our FY 2024 Wrapped.

Last year, we hit some all-time highs—like the 88,000 formerly homeless Veterans under lease through the Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program and the 150,000 Veterans and family members served through Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF).

We also permanently housed nearly 84,000 Veterans and their family members or prevented them from becoming homeless, the highest number since FY 2019.

READ MORE

 

VA has achieved a more than 55.6% reduction in Veteran homelessness since 2010 and helped 85 communities and 3 states effectively end Veteran homelessness. Dive into the progress we’ve made and learn how you can help.

Jay Walker joined the military to outrun drug dealers and a broken heart. While that may sound like the start of a novel, it’s a true story. The benefits Walker received through this decision were lifesaving, helping him overcome homelessness, health issues, and a substance use disorder.

VA is awarding millions in grants to partners that rapidly rehouse and provide case management to Veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Additionally, VA is launching a national initiative encouraging mayors to work with landlords to set aside rental units for Veterans participating in VA homeless programs.

Employee Spotlight: Antonio Dion Harris

Navy Veteran Antonio Dion Harris felt called to help other Veterans after his service ended. As a peer services coordinator in VA’s national Veterans Justice Outreach Programs (VJP) working with Veterans facing homelessness and involvement with the justice system, he’s proud to “walk alongside them on this journey so they’re not alone.”

An unpleasant stomach bug called norovirus is making the rounds this winter. A new strain accounts for the majority of cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

How can you protect yourself and others from norovirus? Here are some tips:

• Norovirus is spread by people who are sick, as well as contaminated food, water, and surfaces.
• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after using the bathroom, before eating or cooking, and before taking medicine. Hand sanitizer does not kill norovirus.
• Carefully wash produce, cook oysters and shellfish thoroughly, and keep kitchen surfaces clean. Don’t prepare or handle food when you are sick.
• If someone in your household is sick, clean surfaces with a bleach solution and wash and dry soiled laundry using hot water and the highest heat seating. Then, wash your hands.

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.