VA Homeless Programs Office Monthly Newsletter | February 2025

NEWS THIS MONTH

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A WORD FROM HPO EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR MONICA DIAZ

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VETERAN HOMELESSNESS DROPS AMID A RECORD SURGE

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LESSONS LEARNED: HOW WE CAN END VETERAN HOMELESSNESS

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VETERAN’S PATH FROM HOMELESS TO HOMEOWNER

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A Word from Monica Diaz

Executive Director, VHA Homeless Programs Office

Over the past three years, we’ve set our sights high in our campaign to end Veteran homelessness.

As we’ve pushed ourselves to reach and house even more Veterans with each passing year, we have identified what works—and we’re ready to put that knowledge into action.

We believe we can continue to move the needle on Veteran homelessness by focusing on four strategic priorities:

1. Fast tracking housing
2. Reaching every corner
3. No delay, no denial
4. Beyond housing

Let’s dive into what each of these means.

READ MORE

 

Homelessness rates in the U.S. and among Veterans are on two very different trajectories. As overall homelessness in the nation surged to a record high in 2024, Veteran homelessness reached its lowest point since counting began in 2009. Explore the reasons behind this.

Since 2010, 85 communities and 3 states have effectively ended Veteran homelessness, creating a roadmap to success that we can all follow as we try to build a world without Veteran homelessness. Find out what lessons we learned, including which one rises to the top.

The list of people who helped Veteran Rosa Terry go from homeless to owning a home is a long one. From the VA nurse who first told her about the HUD-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program to the psychologist who helped her get a handle on her posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to the social workers who assisted her with paperwork there were always people ready to help Terry get back on her feet.

Employee Spotlight: Sheila Millan

Sheila Millan was well into her social work career when she decided, on a whim, to join the Florida Army National Guard as a behavioral health officer. Serving in the National Guard while working as a HUD-VASH social worker at the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, Millan believes her role at VA aligns with the Army’s Soldier’s Creed to never leave a fallen comrade behind.

Heart disease has been a leading cause of death in the U.S. for over 100 years, according to the American Heart Association. There are many factors that increase your risk for heart disease, some of which you can change and some you can’t. While you can’t do anything about your age, gender, or family history, you can take steps to address high blood pressure, high cholesterol, tobacco use, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity, poor diet, and excessive alcohol consumption.

VA offers a variety of services to help you protect your heart. Your VA primary care provider can assess your risks and help you get started on a heart health plan, so schedule an appointment today.

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.