Although there is still some way to go, fewer veterans are living on the streets, due to shelter and housing programs from the US Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH), the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
This is the lowest reduction since 2009 in various areas, such as that between January 2023 and January 2024, the number of veterans who experienced some type of homelessness fell from 35,574 to 32,882, which represents a drop of 7.5 %, indicate the offices mentioned in a special report.
That represents a significant change since 2010, as it is a decrease of 55.6% since that year.
Among unsheltered veterans, the number decreased 10.7%, from 15,507 in 2023 to 13,851 in 2024.
At the end of fiscal year 2024, which ended in September, nearly 90,000 veterans were reportedly under rental contracts with vouchers through the HUD-VA Supportive Housing Program.
“Too many of our nation’s veterans experience homelessness each year, and that is why HUD is focused on ensuring every veteran has a home,” said HUD Agency Director Adrianne Todman.
He added that this is possible with interagency work, something that VA Secretary Denis McDonough agreed with.
“No veteran should experience homelessness in this country they swore to defend,” he said. “This year’s PIT count shows that VA and the entire Biden-Harris administration are making real progress in the fight to end veteran homelessness.”
Advances in healthcare
The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), Xavier Becerra, highlighted the application of health care programs that benefit veterans, in addition to giving them better access to housing.
“Veterans have given so much to our nation and deserve access to housing, health care and other critical needs,” he said.
USICH Director Jeff Olivet also pointed to the combination of access to housing and health care as priorities for veterans.
“The challenge now is to end veteran homelessness and use the lessons we learn to help all homeless people,” he acknowledged.
Other Key Investments for Veterans
In 2024, the Biden Administration delivered $187 billion in earned benefits to 6.7 million veterans and survivors, in addition to processing a record 2.51 million disability claims.
“The VA provided more than 131 million healthcare appointments, more than 6 million dental procedures, and provided services and assistance to more than 88,095 family caregivers,” the report states.
The new investments had an impact by increasing veterans’ trust in the VA.
“The administration builds on this historic progress and announces new actions to address veterans’ toxic exposures, including expanding the types of cancers considered presumptive for disability benefits,” it states.
Other data reveals that the Department of Education is announcing $9 million in funding to support student veterans.