The State of Veteran Homelessness in 2025

Veteran homelessness reached its lowest point on record in the January 2024 federal count, falling to 32,882 veterans nationwide, a 7.5 to 8 percent year-over-year decline and roughly a 55 percent drop since 2010. The decrease includes a double-digit reduction in unsheltered veteran homelessness. These gains did not happen by chance. They are the direct result of sustained federal investment and community execution of approaches that center permanent housing, targeted outreach, and coordinated data.

At the same time, the broader homelessness crisis worsened in 2024. Overall homelessness rose sharply, reminding policymakers and the public that veteran progress is an exception that proves the rule. It shows what is possible when funding aligns with evidence and accountability.

Proven Approaches That Worked in 2024

1) Large-scale housing placements with strong retention

The Department of Veterans Affairs and community partners permanently housed 47,925 veterans in FY2024, surpassing the annual goal. Ninety-six percent of those veterans were still housed at year end, a strong indicator that supportive services and landlord engagement are working.

2) Housing First and permanent supportive housing

Housing First is not housing only. It rapidly connects people to permanent homes without preconditions while offering voluntary services that support stability. For veterans, Housing First is most visible in HUD-VASH vouchers paired with VA case management. Peer-reviewed research and federal summaries find Housing First improves housing stability and can reduce use of costly emergency systems. A large study of HUD-VASH shows it reduced homelessness among veterans by about 36 percent compared with usual services and improved housing stability.

3) Rapid rehousing and prevention through SSVF

The Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program prevents homelessness and rapidly rehouses veteran households with short- to medium-term assistance. Recent evaluations find SSVF improves housing outcomes over multiple years, especially when paired with income supports and shallow subsidies. Federal funding notices continue to prioritize rapid rehousing because it shortens time homeless and reduces returns.

4) Coordinated, data-driven systems

Communities that use by-name lists and continuous performance dashboards can reach functional zero for veteran homelessness, meaning fewer veterans are experiencing homelessness than the system can house in a typical month. The Built for Zero framework has helped multiple communities get there and sustain it by aligning outreach, housing resources, and accountability to the same real-time data.

5) Clear federal goals and joint VA-HUD execution

VA set measurable FY2024 goals to house at least 41,000 veterans, keep at least 95 percent housed, and engage at least 40,000 unsheltered veterans. Meeting and exceeding those goals required tight VA-HUD collaboration, local public housing authority partnerships, and direct street outreach to veterans living outside as documented in VA’s 2024 goals and results.

The Evidence Behind Housing First for Veterans

Randomized and quasi-experimental studies show that Housing First and HUD-VASH improve housing stability and reduce homelessness compared to treatment as usual.

System outcomes reflect the model’s strength. The VA’s FY2024 retention rate of 96 percent for housed veterans underscores that permanent housing plus voluntary services keeps people stably housed.

National declines of approximately 55 percent since 2010 align with the growth of HUD-VASH vouchers, SSVF capacity, and Housing First adoption across VA and Continuum of Care systems.

Taken together, the research and outcomes point to a simple conclusion. When communities have enough permanent housing resources and apply Housing First consistently, veterans exit homelessness faster and are far less likely to return.

Why Continued Funding Is Critical in 2025

Despite historic progress for veterans, the overall homelessness system is under severe strain from rent inflation, unit scarcity, and the end of temporary pandemic supports. Without sustained and targeted funding, the very programs responsible for veteran gains will struggle to keep pace with inflow.

Priority investments should include:

Expand HUD-VASH vouchers and case management capacity. Voucher utilization depends on recruiting landlords and matching veterans to units quickly. Continued funding for vouchers and VA case managers is essential to convert offers into leases and to maintain high retention.

Stabilize and scale SSVF. Prevention and rapid rehousing keep short episodes from becoming long-term homelessness. Federal program guidance continues to emphasize rapid rehousing because it shortens homelessness and improves outcomes when paired with ongoing financial and service supports.

Fund local data infrastructure and Built for Zero practices. Communities that reach functional zero rely on sustained staffing for data quality, outreach integration, and problem-solving across agencies.

Increase supply of deeply affordable units. Veteran programs perform best when there are actual apartments to rent. GAO and national reports point to a structural shortage of affordable housing that requires production, preservation, and targeted subsidies.

2024 Veteran Homelessness Snapshot

• 32,882 veterans experienced homelessness on a single night in January 2024, the fewest on record since detailed veteran reporting began.
• Unsheltered veteran homelessness fell about 11 percent, to 13,851.
• Veteran homelessness is down ~55 percent since 2010, a sustained multiyear decline.
• 47,925 veterans were permanently housed in FY2024, with 96 percent still housed at year end.

Key Policy Takeaways for Leaders and Advocates

Housing First is the floor, not the ceiling. Stick with the core principle that housing is the platform for recovery.

Keep prevention and rapid rehousing flexible. SSVF’s results show that short-term subsidies and flexible aid prevent shelter entry and speed exits.

Invest in unit access. Utilization of HUD-VASH rises when communities can secure units and streamline inspections.

Measure what matters in real time. Use coordinated entry and Built for Zero data systems to maintain functional zero.

Center equity and older veterans. Targeted prevention and accessible units are critical to sustain gains.

How Communities Can Apply These Strategies Now

Confirm your by-name list quality for veterans and audit inflow sources.

Launch landlord partnerships, track move-in timelines, and sustain retention services proven in VA FY2024 outcomes.

Commit publicly and work toward functional zero benchmarks.

Shifting the Narrative Around Veteran Homelessness

Some argue that homelessness requires sobriety or treatment before housing. The veteran record shows the opposite. Veterans exit homelessness faster and stay housed when offered Housing First, with voluntary services available for mental health, recovery, and employment once they have a stable place to sleep. Policymakers should fund what the data already proves.

Call to Action: Protect the Progress Toward Ending Veteran Homelessness

If we maintain momentum in 2025, the country can bring more communities to functional zero for veterans and protect the gains already made.

Support the mission with action: Explore our latest veteran-support apparel in the SHOP, read our MISSION, and learn ABOUT our community partnerships. Every purchase and donation helps fund direct services and advocacy to keep what works fully funded.

FAQ: Understanding Veteran Homelessness

Is veteran homelessness really declining while overall homelessness rises?
Yes. The January 2024 count shows an 8 percent decline for veterans alongside a sharp overall increase, as confirmed by HUD’s national update.

What is HUD-VASH and why is it effective?
HUD-VASH combines a rental voucher with VA case management, an approach consistent with Housing First.

What does SSVF do that shelters cannot?
SSVF prevents homelessness and quickly rehouses veterans with short-term assistance, cutting the time homeless and reducing returns when combined with light ongoing supports.

What does functional zero mean for veteran homelessness?
A community has fewer veterans experiencing homelessness than it can house in a typical month and can sustain that balance through coordinated, data-driven work, as defined by Built for Zero.

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