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If you’re homeless or about to be
Call 877-424-3838 (National Call Center for Homeless Veterans)—free, confidential, 24/7. Family members and service providers can call on a veteran’s behalf. You can also go to any VA medical center and ask for the homeless program, or to a Community Resource and Referral Center where available.
In immediate danger, call 911. In a mental health crisis, call 988 and press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line.
The main veteran housing programs
| Program | What it provides | Who it serves |
|---|---|---|
| HUD-VASH | Housing Choice Voucher plus VA case management and clinical services | Homeless veterans (and families) eligible through the VA; income up to 80% of AMI with VA disability compensation excluded for eligibility |
| SSVF (Supportive Services for Veteran Families) | Case management, temporary financial help with rent, deposits, utilities, moving costs; rapid rehousing and prevention | Very low-income veteran families who are homeless or at imminent risk |
| Grant and Per Diem (GPD) | Transitional housing and services, typically up to 24 months | Homeless veterans |
| HCHV Contract Residential Services | Short-term residential placements while arranging permanent housing | Homeless veterans with health needs |
| Domiciliary Care | Residential rehabilitation for veterans with complex needs | Eligible veterans |
| Veterans Justice Outreach | Help for veterans in the criminal justice system, including reentry housing | Justice-involved veterans |
| Legal clinics and services | Help with evictions, benefits, discharge upgrades, and more | Varies; many free |
HUD-VASH in detail
- Referral: the VA identifies and refers eligible veterans to a participating housing authority.
- Screening: housing authorities can deny HUD-VASH admission only for lifetime sex-offender registration; other criminal-history screening is waived.
- Income: 80% of area median income, with VA service-connected disability compensation excluded for eligibility.
- Rent: about 30% of adjusted income, like other vouchers.
- Services: a VA case manager helps with housing search and ongoing support.
- Moving: vouchers can generally be ported where VA case management is available.
SSVF in detail
SSVF grantees are nonprofits funded by the VA. They can:
- Pay past-due rent and utilities to prevent eviction
- Pay security and utility deposits and moving costs
- Provide time-limited rental assistance (rapid rehousing)
- Help with transportation, childcare, and job search
- Connect to VA benefits, legal services, and health care
- In some areas, provide shallow subsidies (ongoing partial rent help)
Eligibility: very low-income (generally at or below 50% of area median income) veteran families who are homeless, at imminent risk, or recently housed through SSVF.
Discharge status
- SSVF and GPD serve veterans with any discharge except dishonorable or a general court-martial dismissal.
- HUD-VASH eligibility was extended to veterans with other-than-honorable discharges by the FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act.
- VA character-of-discharge review can determine eligibility for VA benefits.
- Discharge upgrades are available through military review boards; free legal clinics can help.
Other rental options
Veterans can also apply for regular Housing Choice Vouchers, public housing, and affordable apartments. Many housing authorities give veteran preferences. Some states run veteran-specific rental programs or state veterans homes.
Buying or keeping a home
VA home loans:
- No down payment for most eligible borrowers (within lender requirements)
- No private mortgage insurance; a one-time funding fee applies (waived for veterans receiving VA disability compensation and certain others)
- Certificate of Eligibility through VA
- VA Native American Direct Loans for eligible Native American veterans on trust land
Disability housing grants (FY 2026 maximums):
| Grant | Purpose | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) | Build or modify a home for certain severe service-connected disabilities (e.g., loss of use of limbs) | $126,526 |
| Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) | Adaptations for certain other service-connected disabilities (e.g., vision loss, loss of use of hands) | $25,350 |
| Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) | Adapt a family member’s home where you live temporarily | Part of SAH/SHA limits |
| Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) | Medical-necessity modifications (e.g., bathroom accessibility) through VA health care | $6,800 lifetime for a service-connected condition (or any condition if rated 50%+ service-connected); $2,000 lifetime otherwise |
Behind on your mortgage: if you have a VA-guaranteed loan, call VA’s loan guaranty line (877-827-3702) for help with your servicer. See mortgage payment help.
Property tax relief: many states offer property tax exemptions for disabled veterans and surviving spouses; ask your county assessor. See property tax and insurance help.
What to bring
DD-214 (or discharge information), photo ID, Social Security card, income information, and any eviction notice or lease. Don’t delay calling if you don’t have documents—VA staff can help you get them.
Grant-year check: VA’s cited page lists FY 2026 SAH/SHA amounts. That fiscal year ended September 30, 2026. For a current application, confirm the applicable fiscal-year maximum and remaining entitlement directly with VA before budgeting for a project.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get help with an other-than-honorable discharge?
Often, yes. SSVF and Grant and Per Diem serve veterans with any discharge except dishonorable (or dismissal by general court-martial), and Congress extended HUD-VASH eligibility to veterans with other-than-honorable discharges in 2021. You may also seek a character-of-discharge determination or a discharge upgrade. Call 877-424-3838 to start.
Do I need to be enrolled in VA health care for HUD-VASH?
HUD-VASH eligibility is determined by the VA medical center, and the program pairs a voucher with VA case management. Veterans with OTH discharges may qualify for certain care without full enrollment. The VA homeless program staff will assess you.
Is my VA disability compensation counted as income for HUD-VASH?
Not for determining initial eligibility—since HUD’s August 2024 update, service-connected disability compensation is excluded for eligibility and the income limit is 80% of area median income. It is still counted when your rent share is calculated.
Can SSVF help if I’m about to be evicted?
Yes. SSVF serves very low-income veteran families who are homeless or at imminent risk, with case management and temporary financial assistance for rent, utilities, deposits, and moving costs. Contact a local SSVF provider or the VA hotline.
Is there a VA program for veterans who own homes and are behind on the mortgage?
If you have a VA-guaranteed loan, VA loan technicians can help you work with your servicer on repayment plans, modifications, and other options. Call VA’s loan guaranty line at 877-827-3702. Any veteran homeowner can also use a HUD-approved housing counselor.
Sources and verification
Use these sources to check program rules. Funding, openings, and local procedures must be confirmed with the agency handling your application.
Update note (2026-10-01): Identified VA grant figures as FY 2026 amounts and added a current-year check before budgeting for a project.
- Homeless help for veteransU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- National Call Center for Homeless VeteransU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- HUD-VASH vouchersU.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
- VA home loansU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- Disability housing grants for veteransU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
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