Serving Those Who Served: Tackling Veteran Homelessness in America
Every veteran who has served our country deserves a stable, safe place to call home. Thanks to a person-centered, evidence-based approach and providing key voluntary resources, remarkable progress has been made toward ending veteran homelessness. The challenge remains real and continued focus, funding, and execution of proven practices are needed moving forward.
The Current Landscape
According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, homelessness among veterans fell by 7.5% between 2023 and 2024, including a 10.7% decrease in unsheltered veteran homelessness. Since 2009, veteran homelessness has decreased by more than half.
We’re seeing similar progress here in Iowa. The Institute for Community Alliances and Iowa Balance of State Continuum of Care have recorded decreases in veteran homelessness during the Winter Point in Time Count in both 2024 and 2025. The data and practices don’t lie! Ending veteran homelessness in Iowa is achievable.
Program outcomes reflect the same momentum nationwide:
88,306 formerly homeless veterans were in a lease in 2024.
149,638 veterans and their family members have been served by the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program.
96% of veterans housed in 2024 remained in housing at the end of the year.
These results show what’s possible when proven strategies and strong partnerships come together to serve those who have served our country.
Why This Matters
Veterans face unique risk factors for homelessness. The road from active duty to stability can be filled with obstacles, including finding employment, accessing affordable housing, and navigating health care and benefit systems. When these challenges overlap with issues like post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injuries, military sexual trauma, or disabilities connected to service, the risk of homelessness grows significantly.
Homelessness among veterans is not a reflection of the person. It’s a systems issue that requires a coordinated, compassionate response. The good news is that when communities come together with shared purpose, real progress is possible. The veteran homelessness response system has become a national model for collaboration and results.
Veterans benefit from programs designed with both urgency and dignity in mind. Programs that pair housing assistance with supportive services to ensure lasting stability. Research has shown that when veterans are quickly connected to permanent housing and case management, their outcomes improve across the board: better health, increased employment, and stronger community connections.
““Veterans have given so much in service to our country. It’s now our responsibility to ensure they receive the benefits they deserve. Housing programs for veterans not only provide a roof over their heads but offer a path to stability, security, and a foundation to rebuild after the challenges of military life.” - Veteran Marine Mike Henle ”
Key Program Models
HUD–Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing
The HUD–Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program combines housing vouchers from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) with supportive services from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). These partnerships help veterans and their families obtain permanent housing and access to health care, mental health support, employment resources, and other services. Every state including Iowa has at least one public housing agency administering HUD-VASH, making it a cornerstone of the effort to end veteran homelessness.
Supportive Services for Veteran Families
The Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program assists very low-income veteran families who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness. Grants to community-based organizations fund outreach, case management, temporary financial assistance (like security deposits, rent, and utilities), housing search help, and linkages to benefits and supportive services. Research has shown that SSVF participation significantly improves housing stability and long-term outcomes.
Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem
The Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Program, run by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, provides transitional housing and supportive services to Veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Partnering with community organizations, the program offers case management, life skills training, employment assistance, and connections to VA benefits. Veterans can stay in GPD housing for up to 24 months, contributing a portion of their income to support stability. With over 14,500 beds nationwide, the program helps Veterans move toward independent living and long-term housing success.
What This Means for Iowa and Beyond
For organizations, elected officials, and communities working on homelessness or veteran services, these insights provide both a blueprint and a call to action:
Prioritize permanent housing solutions over short-term shelter.
Ensure veterans receive voluntary wrap-around support from mental and physical health care, to benefits access, and employment assistance.
Track housing retention and outcomes to measure success.
Advocate for continued federal, state, and local investments to sustain progress.
Recognize that supporting veterans often means supporting their families and communities.
Looking Ahead
Despite strong progress, challenges remain. Affordable housing shortages and the rising cost of living continue to put pressure on veterans and their families. However, the ongoing success of programs like HUD-VASH and SSVF and the downward trends seen in the Iowa Balance of State CoC prove that ending veteran homelessness is not only possible, it’s within reach.
Iowa can build on the proven strategies that have reduced veteran homelessness such as coordinated outreach, Housing First approaches, and strong cross-system partnerships to drive similar progress in ending homelessness across the entire Balance of State.
Ann Oliva from the National Alliance to End Homelessness notes:
“The secret to this decrease is not a mystery. Ending homelessness comes down to three things: using person-centered and evidence-based policy and program design, providing key resources at a scale necessary to get the job done, and showing the leadership and public will to keep a long-term commitment to our goals. Our leaders have honored that commitment to veterans; it is now time for them to honor it for the rest of the nation.”
Call to Action
There are many programs and agencies supporting veterans in housing and stability across the Balance of State CoC. If you want to learn more or get involved, contact us and we can get you connected!