Who qualifies: Veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. SSVF serves low-income veteran families; HUD-VASH serves veterans who need ongoing case management. Discharge rules vary by program.
If you need help tonight
Call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838. It's free, open 24/7, and confidential. You can also walk into any VA medical center and ask for the homeless program. If you're in crisis, call 988 and press 1.
HUD-VASH
What it is: HUD-VASH combines a rental voucher from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) with care from VA. The voucher helps pay rent on a private apartment or house. A VA case manager works with you for as long as you need, helping with health care, mental health, substance use, budgeting and getting along with your landlord.
Who it's for: Veterans experiencing homelessness who need ongoing, intensive support. A Tribal HUD-VASH program serves American Indian and Alaska Native veterans on or near tribal lands.
How it works: Once you're accepted, you look for a unit with your case manager's help. The landlord must accept vouchers, and the home must pass inspection. You pay part of the rent based on your income, and the voucher covers the rest.
SSVF
What it is: Supportive Services for Veteran Families is run through local nonprofits that get VA grants. It focuses on two things:
- Rapid rehousing to get homeless veterans back into housing fast
- Homelessness prevention to help veterans who are about to lose their housing stay put
SSVF can help with things like case management, finding housing, help getting VA and other benefits, legal help, and short-term money for rent, security deposits, utilities, moving costs and more.
Who it's for: Low-income veterans and their families who are homeless or at imminent risk.
Getting into a home faster
Many areas now use a "Housing First" approach. That means you don't have to be sober, have a job, or finish treatment before you get housing. The goal is to get you into a safe place first, then work on the rest with your case manager. In 2024, HUD changed its rules so that VA disability pay no longer counts as income when deciding whether you qualify for HUD-VASH. That opened the program to more disabled veterans. Ask your case manager how this applies to you.
Other VA homeless programs
VA also runs transitional housing (Grant and Per Diem), residential treatment, health care for homeless veterans, the Homeless Veterans Dental Program, legal clinics and job programs.
How to get help, step by step
- Call 877-424-3838 or visit your local VA medical center. Say you're homeless or about to be.
- Ask about both HUD-VASH and SSVF. Staff will help figure out which fits.
- Gather what you can, like ID, your DD214, income info and an eviction notice if you have one. Don't wait if you don't have them. Staff can help you get them.
- Meet with your case manager or SSVF provider and make a housing plan.
- Stay in touch. Answer calls and keep appointments so your spot isn't lost.
Mistakes to avoid
- Waiting until the eviction is final. SSVF prevention works best early.
- Assuming your discharge rules you out. Some programs serve veterans with other than honorable discharges. Ask.
- Thinking it's only for people living outside. Couch surfing, staying in a car, or facing eviction can count.
- Not applying for other benefits. A disability claim or pension can give you steady income.
Related benefits
See our guides on VA health care, mental health care, VA pension, disability compensation, and VA dental care.
Want the full VA loan playbook, with payment and funding fee calculators? Visit VALoanBenefit.com.
Last reviewed November 2026. WeSpeakVA is not the VA. Rules and amounts change, so confirm on VA.gov or with an accredited representative.