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Veterans

Virginia Leads the Nation in Functionally Ending Veteran Homelessness

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Governor Terry McAuliffe proudly announced on Veterans Day that Virginia has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by becoming the first state in the nation to functionally end veteran homelessness. This achievement is the result of a concerted effort that began in 2014, when Governor McAuliffe committed Virginia to the Mayor's Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness, led by First Lady Michelle Obama. Since then, 20 mayors and county chairs across the state have pledged to end veteran homelessness, and communities have made significant improvements in their homelessness response and housing assistance systems.

Key Takeaways:

  • Virginia has been certified by the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as the first state in the nation to functionally end veteran homelessness.
  • Since October 2014, 1,432 homeless veterans have been housed in Virginia.
  • The state's efforts relied on partnerships with regional Veterans Affairs Medical Centers, local housing continua of care (CoC) providers, Supportive Services for Veterans Families (SSVF) programs, and local public housing authorities.
  • Key federal partners included the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and the Department of Labor (DOL).
  • Virginia's success will serve as a model for other states to follow and has paved the way for the state's next goal of functionally ending chronic homelessness among all Virginians by the end of 2017.
  • The state has made vast improvements in its homelessness response and housing assistance systems by using evidence-based tools, providing rapid re-housing and permanent supportive housing resources, and incorporating the principles of Housing First throughout the entire spectrum of housing assistance.
  • The availability and provision of supportive services to help veterans maintain stability within their new homes have been critical in this effort.

Statistics:

  • 1,432 homeless veterans have been housed in Virginia since October 2014.
  • 20 mayors and county chairs across the state have pledged to end veteran homelessness.
  • The state has made significant improvements in its homelessness response and housing assistance systems, resulting in a more efficient and effective system for helping veterans with homelessness.
  • The state's efforts have relied on partnerships with regional Veterans Affairs Medical Centers, local housing continua of care (CoC) providers, Supportive Services for Veterans Families (SSVF) programs, and local public housing authorities.
  • Key federal partners included the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and the Department of Labor (DOL).

Sources:

  • [Office of the Governor of Virginia]
  • [U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness]
  • [U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development]
  • [U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs]
  • [First Lady Michelle Obama's Mayor's Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness]

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