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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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How about lowering the condition of what the home is in so it opens up home ownership opportunities? So what if half the house doesn’t have flooring or drywall. If they get a great price then let them get the house. Because a fully finished house could be out of their price range. But distressed properties or foreclosures can be a bargain.
Also make another category for small business. Like micro businesses. I jumped through all these hoops to be able to bid on gov contracts but I can’t afford commercial auto insurance or survive a net 30. After project expenses and paying the guys.
Also make another category for small business. Like micro businesses. I jumped through all these hoops to be able to bid on gov contracts but I can’t afford commercial auto insurance or survive a net 30. After project expenses and paying the guys.
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Ten years living in garages & sheds. I'm finally in my own place with my girlfriend. We work for Goodwill Gulf Coast & have a car & are in therapy. I'm in trouble with IRS, but I will face it with help. Plant medicine saved my life. I can't even get a PCM, due to transfer & leaving. God is good. The VA has not been very helpful. If not for some kind nurses who ran down doctors I would not get my meds. I got rid of most pharmaceuticals. No comment. God bless America. My brother & my son both helped me & I now have my dignity again. Thanks
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Suspended Profile
I've been working with unhoused individual on a weekly basis for almost the last decade. I think a major challenge is the homeless vets are aware of what resources are available. I also think there's general lack of knowledge, among support agencies, about how they can partner to help our vets I worry that far too many people and agencies rush to get a person off the street without engaging in the situation that put that person on the street in first place, Because we give a person a place to live, doesn't mean they're not still homeless. Unhoused folks are a monolith, they end up on the street one person at a time; and it takes individual solutions/case management to bring them home.
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Why not secure the boarder, and stop housing all the people who came here illegally? Use the money for OUR heros
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Sgt Howard Welch
This would take people voting differently: not just based on one issue, or the party "me & my family" have ALWAYS voted for, and begin to look at the overall results of their vote. A tough battle to overcome: people really have to experience the pain, and ID the cause of it for things to begin to change.
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From Airbnb, ( VA you guys should "partner" with Airbnb!!!) to hotels to building a shack near fresh water source, what are our Veterans to do when your organization takes 4- 5 months to even begin to process the n necessary and proper paperwork? Maybee even work with Army core of engineers and the Navy seebeas, 3d print houses on the Texas/Mexico boarder and install modern electronics to keep track of progress?
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I am homeless and tried the VA which gives you phone numbers to call and most are not in business. They gave me one solider on and a lady came and I gave her all the paper work and she told me if I find something to tell her first gave her four places and never heard anything. Go on line and add says how they will help click on add first thing they want a donation. Why do you think veteran's are killing them self or are homeless places get grants and donations and could care less. It is a shame for anybody but thats the way it is then say homeless people are mentally ill. Most of the places that say they will help is just for the money.
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SSG Carlos Madden
Hi Lenuel,
I'm sorry to hear about your experience. I encourage you to reach out to the VA again at 877-4AID-VET [login to see] ) or visit https://rly.pt/VAHomeless. The fact someone was asking for a donation makes me think someone could have been posing as the VA looking to potentially scam veterans. Please try the number I provided as soon as you can.
I'm sorry to hear about your experience. I encourage you to reach out to the VA again at 877-4AID-VET [login to see] ) or visit https://rly.pt/VAHomeless. The fact someone was asking for a donation makes me think someone could have been posing as the VA looking to potentially scam veterans. Please try the number I provided as soon as you can.
Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you’ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member—like health care, disability, education, and more.
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The government is giving all these illegal immigrants free housing, free food, and an allowance. This should be given to our homeless veterans FIRST. With the extreme weather we are facing now, these heroes need to be treated with the utmost respect and compassion they earned.
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I got into trouble back in 2011 due to the economy. I got on the VASH program in 2013. It took a lot to find housing using my voucher in Los Angeles.
I’m currently on VASH and at 90%. I’m hanging on and use VA services when possible. The issue is that when I get my 100% I will no longer receiver any other kind of help. Even at my current rate I only qualify for $23 to help with food but no other programs.
All I need is for one or two rough things to happen and I will not be doing well at all.
I have a plethora of health problems so I cannot become homeless. If I do I will literally die because I’m barely hanging on now.
I’m not the only veteran I know in similar circumstances.
One of the ideas I have to help prevent this is to make it so we don’t get kicked off when we get 100% and still can only afford 1200 a month rent I can’t even get a roommate situation around here for that. I’m talking the whole of Los Angeles County and if I go too far I am way too far from all the vital medical services I need to stay alive and deal with my pain.
It took me years to get most of the things I need and I’m still advocating for some.
Don’t even get me started with the issues with community care.
Also; here in Los Angeles they are building low income housing on the hospital campus which is great. What’s not so great is that homeless veterans that are getting 100% don’t qualify for that housing. Some of them are currently staying in tiny shacks on VA property and will lose those once the low income housing comes around.
We really need to do something that alllows us to keep our housing vouchers until we get to low income not the very low income mark.
I’m currently on VASH and at 90%. I’m hanging on and use VA services when possible. The issue is that when I get my 100% I will no longer receiver any other kind of help. Even at my current rate I only qualify for $23 to help with food but no other programs.
All I need is for one or two rough things to happen and I will not be doing well at all.
I have a plethora of health problems so I cannot become homeless. If I do I will literally die because I’m barely hanging on now.
I’m not the only veteran I know in similar circumstances.
One of the ideas I have to help prevent this is to make it so we don’t get kicked off when we get 100% and still can only afford 1200 a month rent I can’t even get a roommate situation around here for that. I’m talking the whole of Los Angeles County and if I go too far I am way too far from all the vital medical services I need to stay alive and deal with my pain.
It took me years to get most of the things I need and I’m still advocating for some.
Don’t even get me started with the issues with community care.
Also; here in Los Angeles they are building low income housing on the hospital campus which is great. What’s not so great is that homeless veterans that are getting 100% don’t qualify for that housing. Some of them are currently staying in tiny shacks on VA property and will lose those once the low income housing comes around.
We really need to do something that alllows us to keep our housing vouchers until we get to low income not the very low income mark.
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What challenges contributed to my unstable housing?
I was medically discharged from the military mainly due to Grand Mal Seizure disorder. I was having 4 to 5 seizures a month and was given 10%. Having that many seizures a month qualified me for 100% but it wasn't given. As a whole with my other disabilities I was given 40%. No job would hire me at the time because I explained to them the reason I was discharged from the military. They did not want to be held liable for an individual that had a seizure disorder. I received $6 dollars a month for 2 years from the military. When I became homeless with my children I received no help from the va. I waited on a project housing list for a year before I was called. I fought all the way until 2018 to get 100% and I feel they still owe me back pay they haven't paid. I had accured a massive amount of debt and have had to struggle to support my children over the years. Every single time I seek the assistance of va I can never get any help. I have had to sell my body, sleep in a vehicle at rest stops with my children, go hungry etc all not to get any help from the va.
Resources used to improve situation.
I contacted the local va, crisis hot line, government resources and still couldn't get help
Was it just me or family unhoused?
Myself and my children were unhoused.
To be honest. No one who has fought for their country should be homeless, hungry, or lacking resources. As a soldier the military failed me and as a veteran the va has failed me.
I was medically discharged from the military mainly due to Grand Mal Seizure disorder. I was having 4 to 5 seizures a month and was given 10%. Having that many seizures a month qualified me for 100% but it wasn't given. As a whole with my other disabilities I was given 40%. No job would hire me at the time because I explained to them the reason I was discharged from the military. They did not want to be held liable for an individual that had a seizure disorder. I received $6 dollars a month for 2 years from the military. When I became homeless with my children I received no help from the va. I waited on a project housing list for a year before I was called. I fought all the way until 2018 to get 100% and I feel they still owe me back pay they haven't paid. I had accured a massive amount of debt and have had to struggle to support my children over the years. Every single time I seek the assistance of va I can never get any help. I have had to sell my body, sleep in a vehicle at rest stops with my children, go hungry etc all not to get any help from the va.
Resources used to improve situation.
I contacted the local va, crisis hot line, government resources and still couldn't get help
Was it just me or family unhoused?
Myself and my children were unhoused.
To be honest. No one who has fought for their country should be homeless, hungry, or lacking resources. As a soldier the military failed me and as a veteran the va has failed me.
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SSG Carlos Madden
Hi Tabitha,
That's terrible and heartbreaking. Please try reaching out to them again 877-4AID-VET [login to see] ) or visit https://rly.pt/VAHomeless. I hope someone on the other end can help you.
That's terrible and heartbreaking. Please try reaching out to them again 877-4AID-VET [login to see] ) or visit https://rly.pt/VAHomeless. I hope someone on the other end can help you.
Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you’ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member—like health care, disability, education, and more.
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I struggled with homelessness from May 1921 till August 2021. I Lived in a tent at Mehaer State Park for the summer. Worked as a camp in order to get my tent spot for free. Eventually saved up enough money to get a camper, then saved up enough money to get a house. Never asked the VA for anything. I can’t get seen at the hospital because in order to have an enrollment appointment you have to sit by the phone and wait for them to call you. I work I don’t have time to sit by the phone because Im usually on it talking to guest. I work in the vacation rental industry, which is currently booking a third of what our usual rate is. So if things keep going this way, I might be homeless again. If I can’t get an appointment, my request for disability reeval is open and shut with them never even requesting my medical records Or I need to hire somebody to help me through the system how the heck does the VA expect me to call them when I’m in need. How do you do one thing is how you do everything or in our civilian mindedness did we forget that?
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SSG Carlos Madden
Hi SPC,
This sounds incredibly stressful. Reach out to the VA again at 877-4AID-VET [login to see] ) or visit https://rly.pt/VAHomeless and maybe they can find some proactive solutions. I'd also encourage you to call the veterans crisis line to help manage some of the overall stressors https://www.rallypoint.com/emergency-support
This sounds incredibly stressful. Reach out to the VA again at 877-4AID-VET [login to see] ) or visit https://rly.pt/VAHomeless and maybe they can find some proactive solutions. I'd also encourage you to call the veterans crisis line to help manage some of the overall stressors https://www.rallypoint.com/emergency-support
Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you’ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member—like health care, disability, education, and more.
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