Non-VA Resources for Assistance
On this page:
Below is a series of links to other Federal and community resources that could be helpful to those who are homeless, or are at risk for homelessness, and their families.
NOTE: By clicking on the links below you will be leaving the Department of Veterans Affairs website. VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked websites. All links are provided with the intent of meeting the mission of the Department.
Federal Agencies
National Resource Directory
The National Resource Directory (NRD) provides access to services and resources at the national, state and local levels that support recovery, rehabilitation and community reintegration. It is an online partnership for wounded, ill and injured service members, Veterans, Their Families and those who support them.
Vet Resource Center
Vet Centers provide readjustment counseling and outreach services to all veterans who served in any combat zone. Services are also available for their family members for military related issues.
Housing & Urban Development (HUD) - Veteran Information
The Veterans’ Assistance web page of the Homelessness Resource Exchange (HRE) is a US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) library of information and resources to provide helpful information for Veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
Housing & Urban Development (HUD) - Homelessness
National, State and Local HUDVet Resources are provided in addition to Local Homeless Assistance, Housing Counseling and other organizational resources.
Department of Labor (DOL)
DOL-VETS provides veterans and transitioning service members with the resources and services to succeed in the 21st century workforce vby maximizing their employment opportunities, protecting their employment rights and meeting labor-market demands with qualified veterans today.
Health & Human Services (HHS)
HHS protects the health of all Americans and supports the delivery of essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves. As such, the delivery of treatment and health and social services to persons experiencing homelessness is included in the activities of the Department.
Social Security Administration (SSA)
The SSA Service to the Homeless website provides valuable information on SSA programs and benefits; reports on federal government homeless initiatives; and links to advocate groups and other federal government service providers who provide assistance to the homeless.
SAMHSA Homelessness Resource Center
The SAMHSA Homelessness Resource Center seeks to improve the lives of people affected by homelessness who have mental health conditions, substance use issues, and histories of trauma. The Center features an interactive community of providers, consumers, policymakers, researchers, and public agencies at federal, state, and local levels.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
The Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program (EFSP), a Federal program administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), supplements and expands ongoing efforts to provide shelter, food and supportive services for the nation's hungry, homeless, and people in economic crisis.
Department of Agriculture (USDA)
The USDA Nutrition Assistance Program provides children and low-income people access to food, a healthful diet, and nutrition education.
State Agencies
National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs (NASDVA)
An organization consisting of the top veterans affairs official in each state and territory, NASDVA works to secure uniformity, equality, efficiency, and effectiveness in providing services to veterans and their families, especially in regards to claims representation.
Homeless Organizations
National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV)
NCHV is a resource for a national network of community-based service providers and local, state and federal agencies that provide emergency and supportive housing, food, health services, job training and placement assistance, legal aid and case management support for hundreds of thousands of homeless veterans each year.
National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH)
The National Alliance to End Homelessness is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization committed to preventing and ending homelessness in the United States. NAEH has an array of policy, data and program resources related to homelessness among veterans.
Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH)
With a focus on helping communities create permanent housing with services to end and prevent homelessness, CSH advances its mission by providing advocacy, expertise, leadership, and financial resources to make it easier to create and operate supportive housing. Information about veteran homelessness can be found under the tab Policy/Advocacy/Our Policy Priorities.
National Health Care for the Homeless Council (HCH)
The National Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) Council is a home for those who work to improve the health of homeless people and who seek housing, health care, and adequate incomes for everyone. Resources for homeless people and those at risk are also available on this site in addition to information on Homeless Veterans Health Care at www.nhchc.org/veteranshealthcare.html.
National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH)
NCH is a national network of people who are currently experiencing or who have experienced homelessness, activists and advocates, community-based and faith-based service providers, and others committed to a single mission. Resources for homeless people and those at risk of homelessness are provided on the website
Faith-based Organizations
Goodwill Industries International
Goodwill's network of 166 independent, community-based organizations in the United States and Canada offers customized job training, employment placement and other services to people who have disabilities, lack education or job experience, or face employment challenges.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is a national, non-profit, faith-based organization that offers several programs for veterans including Veterans Affairs Services as part of its Community Care Ministries and Veterans Camps, which is part of its Recreation Programs. Information about these programs can be found under the Programs That Help tab.
Volunteers of America (VOA)
VOA is committed to ending homelessness for those already on the street and preventing others from becoming homeless and provides a wide array of well-designed and managed services to meet the specific needs of homeless veterans.
Catholic Charities
The national office for over 1,700 local Catholic Charities agencies and institutions nationwide, Catholic Charities USA provides strong leadership and support to enhance the work of local agencies in their efforts to reduce poverty, support families, and empower communities. More information about programs for veterans can be found under the tab, What We Do.
Veteran Service Organizations
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)
IAVA is the nation's first and largest group dedicated to the Troops and Veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan , and the civilian supporters of those Troops and Veterans. IAVA provides links with other veterans, offers information on local events and features a vets-only online social network that allows access to a Community of Veterans.
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA)
Vietnam Veterans of America is the only national Vietnam veterans organization congressionally chartered and exclusively dedicated to Vietnam-era veterans and their families. VVA's goals are to promote and support the full range of issues important to Vietnam veterans, to create a new identity for this generation of veterans, and to change public perception of Vietnam veterans. VVA has local chapters throughout the country in addition to Puerto Rico , Philippines and Guam .
American Legion
The American Legion is a patriotic veterans organization that focuses on service to veterans, service members and communities. With about 2.6 million members in 14,000 posts worldwide, the Legion has a broad array of services and programs for veterans. Many Legion posts can be accessed from the website.
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
The mission of VFW is to "honor the dead by helping the living" through veterans' service, community service, national security and a strong national defense. VFW, with its Auxiliaries, includes 2.2 million members in approximately 8,100 Posts worldwide, and has a broad array of services and programs for veterans. VFW posts can be accessed from the website.
AMVETS
AMVETS (or American Veterans) has a proud history of assisting veterans and sponsoring numerous programs that serve our country and its citizens. AMVETS provides department and post level support for programs that serve veterans and non-veterans. AMVETS posts can be accessed from the website.
Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
The 1.2 million-member Disabled American Veterans (DAV) is dedicated to building better lives for America 's disabled veterans and their families. The DAV Homeless Veterans Initiative, which is supported by DAV's Charitable Service Trust and Columbia Trust, promotes the development of supportive housing and necessary services to assist homeless veterans become productive, self-sufficient members of society. National Service Offices can be accessed from the website.
Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA)
PVA has developed a unique expertise on a wide variety of issues involving the special needs of our members—veterans of the armed forces who have experienced spinal cord injury or dysfunction and works to maximize their quality of life. PVA currently has 61 National Service Offices nationwide, which can be accessed from the website.
Service Women's Action Network (SWAN)
SWAN works to improve the welfare of current U.S. servicewomen and to assist all women veterans. SWAN offers personal support and guidance from fellow women veterans, provides legal and counseling services from military law experts and caseworkers, recommends sound policy reform to government officials, and educates the public about servicewomen's issues through various media outlets.
Grace After Fire
Grace After Fire has been created by women veterans for women veterans to offer a safe and confidential venue – a social network. Women can share common experiences and offer unique peer support for wellness while providing increased access to resources for healthcare, family and self. Grace is designed to serve women veterans from all eras and branches of service.
Other Resources
Promote Veteran Housing With Risk-Mitigation Funds
Risk-mitigation funds—added protection for landlords willing to rent to Veterans with limited income, a poor rental record or a criminal history—can be an effective part of your overall landlord engagement strategy. New publications show how the cities of Denver; Orlando; Portland, Oregon; and Seattle set up and used risk-mitigation funds and how other communities can implement such programs.
American Bar Association (ABA)
The ABA Commission on Homelessness & Poverty has been instrumental in establishing homeless courts across the country. Created to help homeless veterans navigate the criminal justice system, the Homeless Court addresses a full range of misdemeanor offenses and helps bring them back into society.
Free legal aid programs
LawHelp helps low and moderate income people find free legal aid programs in their communities, and answers questions about their legal rights. For each State, information can be found on the website about how to address problems related to housing, work, family, bankruptcy, disability, immigration and other topics.
National Housing Database for the Homeless and Low Income
Shelter Listings is dedicated to serving the homeless and low-income. The online housing database found on the website contains a database consisting of over 3,000 listings and includes emergency shelters, homeless shelters, day shelters, transitional housing, residential drug/alcohol rehabilitation programs and permanent affordable housing.
2-1-1 Call Center Search
2-1-1 provides free and confidential information and referral. Calling 2-1-1 provides help with food, housing, employment, health care, counseling and more. As of November 2009, 2-1-1 serves over 241 million Americans (more than 80% of the entire population) covering all or part of 47 states (including 34 states with 90%+ coverage) plus Washington DC and Puerto Rico.
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.
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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.
