The information contained in this Guide is provided for educational and informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, policies, benefits, programs, and resources may change over time.
Readers are strongly encouraged to verify all information with official sources, including but not limited to the Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Department of Labor (DOL), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and other federal, state, or employer-specific programs before making career, financial, educational, financial, or housing decisions.
This guide does not constitute legal, financial, or career counseling advice, nor does it guarantee employment outcomes. The authors and publishers are not responsible for any errors, omissions, or outcomes resulting from the use of this guide.
By using this resource, you acknowledge that responsibility for verifying and applying information rests with the individual.
Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)
What You Receive
The Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program helps very low-income veterans and their families who are homeless or at risk of losing housing. It provides short-term financial help and supportive services so veterans can remain housed or quickly find new housing.
Who Qualifies
Veteran with an eligible discharge status.
Household income below 50% of area median income (AMI).
Currently homeless OR at imminent risk (e.g., facing eviction, foreclosure, or couch-surfing).
What Services Include
Case management: A dedicated case worker to help navigate housing, benefits, and resources.
Eviction prevention: Mediation with landlords, back rent support.
Re-housing support: Help finding and moving into permanent housing.
Connections: Referrals to VA healthcare, employment programs, and legal services.
How to Apply
Contact your local SSVF grantee (usually a nonprofit organization partnered with VA). Find programs near you: va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp
Call the VA Homeless Veterans Hotline: 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838).
HUD-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH)
What You Receive
The HUD-VASH Program combines a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) through HUD with VA case management and clinical services. It helps veterans experiencing homelessness secure stable, long-term housing.
Who Qualifies
Homeless veterans (single or with families).
Eligible for VA healthcare.
Referred through VA Medical Centers or homeless programs.
What Services Include
Rental assistance voucher: Pays a portion of rent directly to the landlord.
Case management: Ongoing support from VA social workers.
Healthcare & treatment access: Connection to VA medical care, mental health, and substance use services.
Housing stability support: Assistance with budgeting, tenancy skills, and landlord mediation.
How to Apply
Contact your local VA Medical Center’s homeless program.
Ask about HUD-VASH referral at your nearest VA Homeless Coordinator’s office. More info: va.gov/homeless/hud-vash.asp
Grant & Per Diem (GPD) Program
What You Receive
The Grant & Per Diem (GPD) Program provides temporary housing and supportive services to homeless veterans. It acts as a bridge between crisis housing and permanent housing solutions.
Who Qualifies
Homeless veterans in need of transitional housing. Veterans willing to participate in supportive services (e.g., employment, treatment, case management).
What Services Include
Transitional housing: Short-term residence in a GPD facility.
Service centers: Help with job training, healthcare access, and benefits navigation.
Specialized tracks: Women veterans, veterans with families, justice-involved veterans, or those with substance use challenges. Connect with a VA Homeless Coordinator or nearest VA Medical Center.
Case management: Plans focused on long-term housing stability and independence.
The Veterans Homelessness Prevention Demonstration (VHPD) was a joint initiative by VA, HUD, and the Department of Labor. It tested new strategies to prevent homelessness before it begins, especially among recently separated veterans.
Who It Helps
Veterans transitioning from active duty.
Women veterans and those with families.
Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.
At-risk veterans in areas near military installations.
What Services Include
Early outreach & screening for housing instability.
Rapid re-housing support for those at risk of eviction or homelessness.
Employment & training programs in partnership with the Department of Labor.
Healthcare & counseling referrals.
Why It Matters
Demonstrated effective strategies now used in SSVF and HUD-VASH programs nationwide.
Showed that prevention is more cost-effective and less disruptive than responding after homelessness occurs.
How to Get Help
While VHPD itself was a demonstration project, its lessons live on through SSVF and other local veteran homelessness prevention efforts.
Veterans should start with the VA Homeless Hotline: 1-877-424-3838.
Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) — OUTREACH & BRIDGE CARE
What it is
VA’s primary outreach and engagement program for veterans who are unsheltered or not connected to services. HCHV teams find veterans, assess needs, and connect them to treatment, case management, and housing programs; they can also place veterans in contract residential treatment/bridge housing when clinically appropriate.
Who Qualifies
Veteran who is homeless or at risk and needs help connecting to care/housing.
What you get
Street and community outreach; quick connection to VA/non-VA services. Clinical assessment, case management, and referrals (including SSVF, HUD-VASH, GPD).
Access to contract residential treatment/bridge housing when indicated.
How to access
Walk into or call your nearest VA Medical Center and ask for the HCHV team. Call the VA Homeless Veterans Hotline: 1-877-424-3838.
Learn more at VA Homeless Programs – Health Care.
Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP) —
EMPLOYMENT
What it is
Federal program that helps veterans experiencing homelessness (or at risk) get job training, placement, and retention support into competitive employment. It’s the only federal grant focused exclusively on employment for homeless veterans.
Who Qualifies
Veteran experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk. Ready/able to work (or become work-ready with short-term supports).
What you get
Career counseling, resume and interview prep.
Job training, certifications, work clothing/tools.
Placement services & employer outreach.
Help removing barriers (transportation, records, coordination with housing/VA care).
How to Apply
Ask local workforce board, Goodwill/VOA, or veteran nonprofits if they’re HVRP grantees; or ask your VA Homeless Program point of contact for a referral.
You can also call the VA Homeless Veterans Hotline: 1-877-424-3838 and ask to be routed to an HVRP provider in your area.
Learn more: U.S. Dept. of Labor HVRP page. Pro tip HVRP often pairs with SSVF/HUD-VASH so you stabilize housing and income at the same time.
Tribal HUD-VASH — For Native American Veterans
What it is
A joint HUD + VA program that provides rental assistance through tribal housing authorities plus VA case management/clinical support to permanently house American Indian and Alaska Native veterans who are homeless or at risk.
Who Qualifies
AI/AN veteran experiencing homelessness or at risk.
Eligible for VA health care (VA determines).
Lives in or can move to a participating tribe’s service area. The program operates via participating tribes under HUD awards.
What you get
Ongoing rental assistance administered by your tribe/tribal housing authority.
VA case management: health care access, mental health/substance use care, benefits navigation, and tenancy support.
How to Apply
Contact your tribal housing authority and ask about Tribal HUD-VASH availability.
Call your nearest VA Medical Center (Homeless Program) and ask for a HUD-VASH/Tribal HUD-VASH referral.
HUD’s Tribal HUD-VASH page (includes guidance and updates).
More Native-focused help
VA Office of Tribal Government Relations (OTGR) can help navigate VA services with your tribe.
New Native American Veteran Homelessness Initiative (VA/HHS/HUD) aims to improve access—especially in urban Indian settings—via partnerships with Urban Indian Organizations. Ask your VA homeless coordinator about current local partners.
U.S.VETS
U.S.VETS is the largest nonprofit provider of housing and supportive services for veterans in the U.S. With multiple sites nationwide, it focuses on housing stability, case management, counseling, and workforce development.
Who They Help
Homeless and at-risk veterans.
Veterans seeking transitional or permanent supportive housing.
Services Provided
Transitional housing and permanent supportive housing.
Case management, counseling, and peer support.
Job readiness programs, workforce training, and placement.
Specialized support for elderly and chronically homeless veterans.
How to Access
Visit: www.usvets.org
Call your nearest U.S.VETS site (locations in CA, NV, TX, HI, and more).
Ask your VA Homeless Coordinator for a referral.
Volunteers of America (VOA)
Volunteers of America (VOA) operates programs nationwide, with many affiliates running SSVF, HVRP, and housing programs to support homeless and at-risk veterans.
Who They Help
Veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Families of veterans.
Services Provided
Housing assistance (transitional and permanent).
SSVF eviction prevention and rapid re-housing.
Employment support through HVRP.
Mental health, substance use, and counseling services.
How to Access
Visit: www.voa.org and search by state affiliate.
Ask your VA Homeless Coordinator for VOA programs in your region.
Call the VA Homeless Hotline: 1-877-424-3838 and request VOA program info.
Swords to Plowshares
Swords to Plowshares, based in the San Francisco Bay Area, is a nationally recognized model nonprofit that serves veterans with housing, legal, and wraparound support services.
Comprehensive mental health and wellness programs.
How to Access
Visit: www.swords-to-plowshares.org
Call the main office: (415) 252-4788.
Ask your VA or caseworker for a direct referral.
National Veterans Foundation (NVF)
The National Veterans Foundation (NVF) operates a national vet-to-vet crisis and resource line for veterans and their families.
Who They Help
Veterans in crisis or at risk of homelessness.
Families needing referrals for housing,
or
Services Provided
National toll-free crisis line staffed by trained veteran peers. Referrals to housing, food, benefits, and counseling resources. Outreach programs for homeless veterans.
National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV)
The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) is the national resource and advocacy hub supporting community-based service providers for homeless veterans.
Who They Help
Veterans experiencing homelessness.
Caseworkers, advocates, and service providers seeking best practices.
Services Provided
Referrals to local veteran housing and service programs. National policy advocacy to end veteran homelessness. Training, technical assistance, and resources for providers.
How to Access
Visit: www.nchv.org
Use their “Find Help” directory for local providers. Veterans may also call 1-800-VET-HELP for guidance.
Tribal Housing Authorities & Tribal HUD-VASH
Tribal HUD-VASH is a joint HUD and VA program operated through tribal housing authorities. It provides rental assistance and VA case management to American Indian and Alaska Native veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Who They Help
AI/AN veterans eligible for VA care.
Veterans living in or willing to relocate to tribal service areas with HUD-VASH awards.
Services Provided
Ongoing rental subsidies.
VA case management, health care access, and tenancy support.
Connection to community and cultural resources.
How to Access
Contact your local tribal housing authority.
Ask your VA Homeless Coordinator about Tribal HUD-VASH.
Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs) are nonprofits that provide health and social services to AI/AN communities in urban areas. They are becoming partners in the Native American Veteran Homelessness Initiative.
Who They Help
Native American veterans living in cities.
Veterans disconnected from tribal service areas.
Services Provided
Housing navigation and support services.
Health care, behavioral health, and case management.
Cultural programming and advocacy.
How to Access
Ask your local UIO about veteran programs.
Contact the VA Office of Tribal Government Relations (OTGR) for referrals.
Learn more: www.ihs.gov/urban
VA Office of Tribal Government Relations (OTGR)
The VA Office of Tribal Government Relations (OTGR) builds relationships between VA and tribal governments to ensure Native American veterans can access VA benefits and housing programs.
Who They Help
Tribal governments and leaders.
Native American veterans needing help navigating VA systems.
Services Provided
Outreach to tribes on VA programs.
Training and technical assistance for tribal housing partners.
Direct support for veterans facing barriers in accessing services.
How to Access
Visit: www.va.gov/tribalgovernment
Email: tribalgovernmentconsultation@va.gov
Ask your tribal government office to connect with OTGR regional staff.
