Although there have been significant strides to decrease homelessness among veterans in America, according to the Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR), in the US, there are currently over 35,000 homeless veterans living in shelters or on the street [1].
Miramar Health is committed to helping end the homeless veteran crisis in America. Our veteran-specialized treatment center provides substance abuse treatment, mental health counseling, trauma-informed care, and case management to help veterans return smoothly to civilian life.
Additionally we connect those at risk of homelessness to transitional housing and sober living programs, as well as with the VA for opportunities to be housed through HUD VASH.
Read on to learn more about veteran homelessness in the US and resources to help someone you may know find safe housing.
What is Veteran Homelessness?
Veteran homelessness refers to former military members who do not have safe, stable, or permanent housing. Homeless veterans face several individual and systemic factors that contribute to homelessness, such as increased rates of PTSD, addiction, inability to work due to physical disabilities, and lack of affordable housing. On any given night in January 2024, approximately 32,800 vets experienced homelessness [2].
Around 19,000 homeless veterans are “sheltered”, meaning they live in emergency shelters or transitional housing. And about 13,000 are unsheltered, living on the street, in their cars, or in abandoned buildings. Although veterans only make up 7% of the population, they make up nearly 13% of the homeless population [1].
Veterans Most Affected by Homelessness
Some veteran demographics are more affected by homelessness than others. For example, about half of homeless veterans are 51 and older. Homeless veterans are also more likely to have been enlisted in “E1 to E4 pay grades” (lower military ranks), rather than commissioned officers [3].
Many also come from the branches of the Army or Marines, who traditionally have a larger population of enlisted military personnel. Vietnam vets are one of the veteran groups most affected by homelessness, trauma, and substance abuse.
Almost half of the current homeless vets served during the Vietnam War. Vietnam veterans were historically one of the first groups recognized as being vulnerable to homelessness and have faced decades of social isolation.
Many Vietnam veterans returned home during a time before mental health or addiction treatment was widely available. This population is also much older than younger post 9/11 vets, and struggles with higher rates of physical disabilities or long-term health conditions that complicate treatment [3] [4].
Causes of Homelessness in Veterans
There is no one specific cause of homelessness in veterans, but rather a combination of individual and social factors. Many homeless veterans struggle with PTSD, addiction, and substance abuse, which can make it harder to find employment, hold down a job, and manage finances. Let’s look more closely at some of these causes:
- Affordable Housing Crisis: The overall homeless population increased to over 750,000 people in 2024, the highest ever recorded. This is primarily due to a lack of affordable homes, with the average-priced home being $355,000. A price tag many Americans can simply not afford [5].
- Rising Rent Costs: Once an alternative for many who could not afford a home, renting an apartment has become increasingly unaffordable, with over 50% of renters now spending almost half of their income on rent. The average rent price in 2025 for a one-bedroom apartment is estimated at $1,638 [5].
- Mental Health Challenges: Vets struggle with high rates of PTSD, depression, and anxiety, which can increase barriers to finding or maintaining employment. Around 60-67% of homeless veterans are diagnosed with PTSD, however, these numbers are estimated to be higher [6].
- Substance Abuse: Two-thirds of homeless vets are thought to struggle with drug or alcohol abuse. Addiction is one of the most significant risk factors of veteran homelessness [6].
- Lack of Support: Many veterans return from service and struggle with isolation or lack family or social support who can provide informal housing during times of crisis or transition.
The Path to End Veteran Homelessness
Although there is still much work to do, the US Department of Veterans Affairs has helped permanently house around 48,000 veterans over recent years. Around 95% of veterans who are housed through a veteran assistance program remain stable and do not return to homelessness [7].
Programs for homeless veterans, such as those through the VA, community-based organizations, or state programs, don’t just provide housing. They also provide substance abuse and mental health treatment, job training, case management, and support networks. This plays a significant role in helping veterans return and integrate into civilian life.
The “Built for Zero” project is a national initiative leading the way to end veteran homelessness in America.— “Homelessness is solvable. There is perhaps no greater evidence of this than our nation’s ability to drive reductions in veteran homelessness. Built for Zero communities across the country are proving that it’s possible to make homelessness rare and brief,” said Built for Zero Director Beth Sandor.
Major cities such as Detroit, Denver, and Washington, DC have recently joined this initiative and are driving changes to get the homeless rates to zero [8].
Resources for Homeless Veterans
If you or a loved one is experiencing or at-risk of experiencing homelessness, there are several resources available to provide support. Start with the VA National Call Center for Homeless Veterans, which can offer immediate aid and referrals for housing placements.
Below is a list of some organizations and programs currently tackling this issue:
- VA National Call Center for Homeless Veterans: Call (877) 4AID-VET (877-424-3838).HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing: Contact your nearby VA medical center to apply.
- National Veterans Homeless Support and other transitional housing programs provide emergency rental assistance to prevent addiction and transitional housing to help stabilize veterans.
- National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) and Homeless Veterans Initiative (HVI) are two other organizations focusing on providing veterans with housing, employment, mental health treatment, and more.
- Veteran-specialized treatment centers such as Miramar Health provide transitional housing, sober living, substance abuse treatment, mental health counseling, trauma-informed care, and case management to help veterans return smoothly to civilian life.
How Miramar Supports Homeless Veterans
Miramar Health is a veteran-owned and operated recovery program providing trauma-informed care for veterans. Our mission is to free veterans from America’s mental health and addiction crisis and to empower them to create a better future for themselves and their families.
We provide a blend of treatment services with functional supports to help veterans return to their daily lives and reduce the risk of homelessness. Contact our admissions team today if you know a veteran who needs support.
Sources
[1] Sousa, T. et al. 2023. The 2023 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress. US Department of Housing and Urban Development.
[2] US Department of Veterans Affairs. 2025. VA Homeless Programs.
[3] Rosenheck, A. et al. (2015). Risk factors for homelessness among US veterans. Epidemiologic reviews, 37, 177–195.
[4] Stellman, S. et al. 2025. Persistence and Patterns of Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Medical, and Social Dysfunction in Male Military Veterans 50 Years After Deployment to Vietnam. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 67(5): :p 306-312,
[5] Lawrence, P. 2025. State of the Nation’s 2025 Housing Report Details Persistent Housing Affordability Crisis.
[6] Pietrzak, R. H. (2023). Prevalence, correlates, and mental health burden associated with homelessness in U.S. military veterans. Psychological medicine, 53(9), 3952–3962.
[7] Elnahal, S. 2024. VA Leading the Way: VA Exceeds Goal to House Homeless Veterans for Second Year in a Row. VA News.
[8] Barnes, L. 2022. PRESS RELEASE: 12 Communities Prove it’s Possible to Solve Veteran Homelessness. Community Solutions.