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VA is committed to ending homelessness among Veterans and their families because it is our nation’s duty to ensure all Veterans have a place to call home. We want to hear about times when you or your family has been unhoused.
What challenges contributed to your unstable housing or even being unhoused?
What resources did you use to improve your situation?
Was it just you or was your family unhoused as well?
From your experience, what can VA do to achieve its goal of ending housing instability and homelessness for Veterans and their families?
We expect to learn from you and will try to help you where we can. We also believe Veterans, families, and caregivers sharing their struggles in forums like RallyPoint can make it easier for others to share and get help.
You can also help us out by completing the project CHALENG Survey https://rly.pt/CHALENGSurvey2024. Project CHALENG (Community Homelessness Assessment, Local Education and Networking Groups) unites homeless service providers, advocates, Veterans and concerned citizens toward the goal of meeting the evolving needs of Veterans who are homeless. This process describes the needs of homeless Veterans, identifies the barriers they face in obtaining permanent housing and works to resolve them through planning and cooperative action. Learn more here: https://rly.pt/ProjectCHALENG.
If you’re a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, contact the Veterans Crisis Line to receive 24/7 confidential support. You don't have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect. To reach responders, Dial 988 then Press 1, chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or text 838255.
If you are a Veteran who is experiencing unstable housing or homelessness, call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-4AID-VET [login to see] ). Visit the VA Homeless Programs website to learn about housing initiatives and other programs for Veterans exiting homelessness. Visit https://rly.pt/VAHomeless to learn more.
If you are not yet receiving benefits or care for VA and want to see if you qualify:
Visit https://rly.pt/VAHealthCareEligibility or call [login to see] (TTY: 711) to learn more.
What challenges contributed to your unstable housing or even being unhoused?
What resources did you use to improve your situation?
Was it just you or was your family unhoused as well?
From your experience, what can VA do to achieve its goal of ending housing instability and homelessness for Veterans and their families?
We expect to learn from you and will try to help you where we can. We also believe Veterans, families, and caregivers sharing their struggles in forums like RallyPoint can make it easier for others to share and get help.
You can also help us out by completing the project CHALENG Survey https://rly.pt/CHALENGSurvey2024. Project CHALENG (Community Homelessness Assessment, Local Education and Networking Groups) unites homeless service providers, advocates, Veterans and concerned citizens toward the goal of meeting the evolving needs of Veterans who are homeless. This process describes the needs of homeless Veterans, identifies the barriers they face in obtaining permanent housing and works to resolve them through planning and cooperative action. Learn more here: https://rly.pt/ProjectCHALENG.
If you’re a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, contact the Veterans Crisis Line to receive 24/7 confidential support. You don't have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect. To reach responders, Dial 988 then Press 1, chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or text 838255.
If you are a Veteran who is experiencing unstable housing or homelessness, call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-4AID-VET [login to see] ). Visit the VA Homeless Programs website to learn about housing initiatives and other programs for Veterans exiting homelessness. Visit https://rly.pt/VAHomeless to learn more.
If you are not yet receiving benefits or care for VA and want to see if you qualify:
Visit https://rly.pt/VAHealthCareEligibility or call [login to see] (TTY: 711) to learn more.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Homeless
Housing
Home
Benefits
Edited >1 y ago
Responses: 34
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Due to a crack habit, I ended up homeless for over 25 years. I endured 3 prison terms in California and Arizona. Thanks to the Tucson VA SARRTP, I got the help I needed to stop using. After the residential program, I was enrolled in the HUD/VASH program and got an apartment. I was also enrolled in the CWT Program where I worked on the VA grounds while I sought permanent employment. Today, through the VA home loan program, I own a house. I am an over-the-road truck driver. And have been with my wife for over 8 years.
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I retired from the Navy with some service connected disabilities and worked part-time & temp jobs for quite a while, came close to being homeless but never was. I moved to a different state for a real job and haven't looked back. House is paid for, vehicle is paid for and savings acct is good - but I put the military and it's associated life-style problems behind me.
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Got into trouble after Discharge from the Military and For that,I have to suffer not being able to get Any help from the VA on housing,even when I saw it was Goung to be a homeless situation where I could not pay my rent and all my bills cause of scammers,- whom.Was said to be In the military
in Damascus, Syria ,At AL-Tariff Garrison and, my rent going up March '2023,and again March '24 : from $545.00 to $875.00 To $890.00 and the rent people -Urban Housing Solutions will not give me any slack to pay my mounting bills of like $5,000 in credit,And United Way told me to not pay my bills but focus On the rent,Car note which is a contractual agree that I got a job as long I got a cad and come to a work, And I have got emergency Rent from th VA ONCE ,and On c e by a Charities organization, but it's a monthly thing,Never ever catching up my bills,beside The Mental Health Dept of the VA said, I have to be totally back slide Un t o On the Ground sleeping Alcoholic again,before they will help,
in Damascus, Syria ,At AL-Tariff Garrison and, my rent going up March '2023,and again March '24 : from $545.00 to $875.00 To $890.00 and the rent people -Urban Housing Solutions will not give me any slack to pay my mounting bills of like $5,000 in credit,And United Way told me to not pay my bills but focus On the rent,Car note which is a contractual agree that I got a job as long I got a cad and come to a work, And I have got emergency Rent from th VA ONCE ,and On c e by a Charities organization, but it's a monthly thing,Never ever catching up my bills,beside The Mental Health Dept of the VA said, I have to be totally back slide Un t o On the Ground sleeping Alcoholic again,before they will help,
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SrA Ronald Moore
PVT T B Hudson Vash will not help me at All,They say,By Background after The Military say I do not Qualify,In which I got into Trouble, and well,Its like Discrimination,but they will not help, at all,Except to see me each time call,make appointments, see them and Say no,Not even where I could get help,Even their Operation Stand-in will not help,Only one Emergency Rental Assistance, and when I ask for food help They will not let me come into their bldg,
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PVT T B
SrA Ronald Moore - damn, that sounds fishy as hell that they aren't doing anything for you. which Rep were you contacting? and what state are you in?
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Amn Jason Carter
VA eligibility requires either an honorable discharge, or general discharge under honorable conditions, many VAs can also note in your electronic record an eligibility for humanitarian care if the character of discharge was less than general, for a short period of time to help with the emergency. If there ever is any problems with suicide risk this is the other instance where the character of discharge won't matter, presenting to any VA expressing suicidal thoughts will get you help right away although the focus is going to be on addressing the suicide risk not risk of homelessness although the homeless risk can be addressed before discharge. Veteran service organizations like DAV and VFW can help with requests to try to upgrade the character of discharge, can also help in applying for VA disability which can help with income and VA healthcare eligibility, although upgrading the character of discharge generally will come first.
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SrA Ronald Moore
My Story goes on day to day Even Though I got an Honorable Discharge,even with asking for help All I get is a brush off so far
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In 2015 I began a 2 year battle with homelessness that started with addiction and undiagnosed service connected mental health issues. I sought help through the Atlanta VA and was accepted into a shelter program that was overflowing with other Veterans and understaffed. I wound up being kicked out and told I needed a long term rehab so Wyoming accepted me and I began another 3 year battle to diagnose at treat my conditions. To be honest with you if I did not advocate my ass off and even contact my congresswoman I would have fell through the cracks and wound up another deceased Veteran. I've lost countless friends along the way and still struggle with mental health but am 3 years sober now and have a service dog and in school for photography. I'd love to share my story more and be part of helping not just a survey taker so please contact me. I want to help save lives.
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SSG Carlos Madden
Congrats on your recovery. I'm so glad it's been working out for you. Keep it up man!
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Working my way through college, I didn't have the resources to attend classes, pay college expenses, and cover rent despite working three jobs. I ended up homeless, living in an extended cab Tacoma with by German shepherd. Fortunately, after a couple of months, I woke to a crazed hippie banging on my window calling me a fool. It was my dad, and he made me move back home. By this time, I was pretty ill, but thanks to 1-800 Pet Meds (pre-Obama Care insurance for my fellow poors) and a warm bed, homecooked meals... My scant cash kept me in school.
I made it through, and it's just a bad memory, now. But I am angry. I served under the mistaken idea that it would help me pay for my education. My GI Bill didn't cover a single semester. I was lied to, and the lie still goes on. My nephew got a better deal when he wrapped up his enlistment, but if his fiance wasn't financially comfortable enough to cover his living expenses, he'd be out of luck. His fiance is AMAZING! Shout out to the partners of service members!
I know high school kids who want to join so they can go to college and lift themselves up. My advice to all of them is to join only if serving is reason enough, because they may end up in worse financial and educational shape if they believe the recruitment propaganda. I'm not anti-military. I served, my sister served, her husband served and her son served. Both my parents served. Both my grandfathers served. 3 of my great grandfathers served. 5 of my 7 uncles served. I'm proud of all this. I'm just not proud of the way the US neglects the promises to the kids that make one of the most selfless offers they can to a country that seems not to care.
I made it through, and it's just a bad memory, now. But I am angry. I served under the mistaken idea that it would help me pay for my education. My GI Bill didn't cover a single semester. I was lied to, and the lie still goes on. My nephew got a better deal when he wrapped up his enlistment, but if his fiance wasn't financially comfortable enough to cover his living expenses, he'd be out of luck. His fiance is AMAZING! Shout out to the partners of service members!
I know high school kids who want to join so they can go to college and lift themselves up. My advice to all of them is to join only if serving is reason enough, because they may end up in worse financial and educational shape if they believe the recruitment propaganda. I'm not anti-military. I served, my sister served, her husband served and her son served. Both my parents served. Both my grandfathers served. 3 of my great grandfathers served. 5 of my 7 uncles served. I'm proud of all this. I'm just not proud of the way the US neglects the promises to the kids that make one of the most selfless offers they can to a country that seems not to care.
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https://www.vermontveteransplace.org/
Is where I am a Case Manager. Message me if you need help in New England/ Eastern NY
Is where I am a Case Manager. Message me if you need help in New England/ Eastern NY
The Veterans' Place I Central Vermont
The Veterans' Place is a structured transitional home for homeless veterans to recover and rehabilitate. We provide housing, meals, and hands-on assistance to help veterans overcomemedical and administrative issues.
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We have know several veterans that have had homes and lost them because they could not afford the property taxes on their homes. Make veterans with even 10% or more in disabilities main property tax free. Many can barely afford their upkeep.
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Instead of the US government sending money to foreign countries how about we use the money for veterans?
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I am a drug addict & alcoholic who was in relapse for many years--but stable in my housing/job situation, which just contributed to the denial of there even BEING a problem. But my roommate's DUI (he was a class A truck driver) quickly led to no longer being able to afford the rent in the overpriced San Francisco Bay Area market. But through the VA's HUD-VASH program, I got all the help I needed to become permanently housed on a brand-new one bedroom apartment--where I have been for the past 5 years. Sure, it took moving into a shelter for a few months, but even THAT was a better experience than it would have been, since I was in a bed reserved for veterans, in a nicer, more respectful, cleaner and drug-free area of the shelter. It also took some help from my Church and 12 step programs to get and stay clean, but I am ever grateful for the many aspects of help I received from a variety of resources--once I was ready to accept it. The VA staff was almost magical in how quickly they got things moving, once I asked for help. And I am forever grateful to God and all those he used to help me get to where I am today!
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SSG Carlos Madden
It's always great to hear success stories. Thanks for sharing. If you have any tips for others who may be in a similar situation, please let us know!
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