The number of homeless veterans in the USA is a growing concern. It requires immediate response and actions to reduce the number of homeless veterans in America. The Department of Veterans Affairs and other federal agencies have funded programs through local service providers to help homeless veterans find jobs and emergency housing for homeless veterans. However, there are specific challenges as well. These include a shortage of VA case managers, a shortage in housing availability, and increasing housing costs. These issues limit the number of veterans the programs can serve.

Challenges Faced by the Federal & Local Agencies to Implement Housing Programs

The Department of Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development, and Labor, offer programs that assist with emergency housing for homeless veterans. The local agencies receive grants from federal agencies and offer services to the homeless veterans in the communities. However, here are the challenges that they face:

• Staffing shortages: Shortages in the VA case managers inhibit the number of veterans they can serve.
• Housing cost and availability: High housing costs and reduced stock make it difficult to find affordable housing for homeless veterans.
• Transportation limitations: Service providers might cover a large geographic area, and limited public transportation strains their ability to offer services. 

What Can be done to Mitigate the Challenges of Emergency Housing for Veterans?

Steps that the VA and other agencies can take to address these issues include:

• Contracting the services to deal with the limited staffing
• Offering rental subsidies for low-income veterans
• Working with more community partners to help with transportation

There are two key collaboration mechanisms for addressing veteran homelessness. They are:

• The US Interagency Council of Homelessness (USICH) – A working group that coordinates agencies at the national level.
• The HUD Initiative – It coordinates with the stakeholders at the local level.

Both efforts incorporate numerous leading practices to ensure effective interagency collaboration.

What is Emergency Housing for Homeless Veterans and Why Do They Need It?

The role of emergency housing for homeless veterans is crucial to prevent the veterans from spiraling into further financial and health hardship. Even though emergency housing is temporary, it offers homeless veterans the immediate ability to stay housed and safe. When a veteran becomes homeless, his/her mental and physical health is highly likely to suffer. There are numerous reasons why veterans might require emergency housing.

When a veteran is discharged from the service, he/she goes through a financial crisis caused due to unemployment issues, leading to eviction from their homes by the property owners. Some veterans might have chronic health issues that prevent them from working (even if they manage to get a job) and saving enough money to stay safe and healthy. Veterans also go through social isolation after they are discharged from the service. Therefore, they lack social support or the support of close family or friends. This means they shall have nowhere to live if they are evicted from the rental homes or if the home is foreclosed due to an inability to pay the mortgage.

Emergency Housing Programs for Homeless Veterans

• The VA Enhanced-Use Lease Program offers emergency shelter and ensures safe housing for homeless veterans by remodeling unused properties for the veterans to use. If available, this program can be used by any other veteran who are otherwise unable to access housing.
• The HUD-VASH program is created for homeless veterans across the country to offer them access to permanent housing and the necessary support for certain benefits like health care and counseling services. Veterans get rental assistance through the HUD Housing Choice Voucher Program and case management services through the VA.