Emergency housing programs provide vital support to veterans and their families facing homelessness, offering immediate shelter, support services, and pathways to permanent housing. Programs like HUD-VASH and local emergency shelters ensure that vulnerable groups can access safe housing while receiving healthcare, counseling, and financial assistance.
Federal Programs That Provide Housing and Shelter
HUD-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH)
The HUD-VA Supportive Housing Program (HUD-VASH) combines federal rental assistance with case management and health services through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
HUD-VASH vouchers provide housing choice vouchers to help veterans pay rent in private housing and connect them with case managers from the Department of Veterans Affairs, who provide support with their medical, mental health, and housing needs. This program has also helped tens of thousands of veterans obtain stable housing across the country.
Learn more & find help: https://www.va.gov/homeless/housing.asp
Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)
The Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program is a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) initiative that provides grants to non-profit organizations for rapid rehousing and homelessness prevention for low-income veterans and their families. It offers case management, financial assistance (rent, utilities, moving expenses), and help accessing VA benefits and other programs to ensure housing stability.
Eligibility Requirements: Low-income veteran families (including single veterans) who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The head of the household or their spouse must be a veteran with a discharge other than dishonorable.
The program is administered by community-based organizations. Veterans can call the VA National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838) to connect with local providers.
More information about SSVF: https://www.va.gov/homeless/housing.asp
National Call Center for Homeless Veterans
The National Call Center for Homeless Veterans provides free, confidential support 24/7 to veterans, their families, and caregivers who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. By calling 1-877-4AID-VET (877-424-3838), callers are connected with trained VA counselors to access housing, healthcare, employment, and legal assistance.
Emergency and Transitional Housing Providers
U.S.VETS — Emergency and Transitional Shelter
U.S.VETS (United States Veterans Initiative) is the nation’s largest non-profit organization providing comprehensive services to homeless and at-risk veterans. They utilize a “Housing First” model, which prioritizes getting veterans into safe housing before addressing other challenges such as employment or health issues. Their housing programs include:
Emergency Housing: Provides immediate, low-barrier shelter beds for veterans and their families in crisis.
- Locations: Long Beach, Inland Empire, Wai’anae, and Barber’s Point.
Transitional Housing: Serves as an intermediate step toward permanent housing. These therapeutic communities offer comprehensive care, including professional services, mental health support, and case management.
- Locations: Phoenix, Prescott, Houston, Las Vegas, Washington D.C., and others. Permanent Supportive
Housing: Offers long-term housing for veterans who need ongoing support or who are financially self-sufficient but wish to live in a veteran-focused community.
Call the U.S.VETS hotline: (877) 5-4USVETS (877-548-7838).
The Salvation Army – Emergency Shelter
The Salvation Army provides extensive emergency shelter and long-term support for veterans through local housing programs and national partnerships with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Emergency Shelters: Local Salvation Army centers operate shelters that provide immediate safety, a warm bed, and hot meals. Specialized facilities like the William Booth Center focus specifically on the needs of veterans.
Transitional Housing: Programs like the Veterans and Families Center (VFC) and the Hope Center offer longer stays (up to 9 months or a year) to help veterans transition to independent living.
Bridge Housing: Some locations offer short-term “bridge housing,” specifically for veterans awaiting previously assigned permanent housing.
Organizations Providing Emergency Housing Solutions for Homeless Veterans
National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV)
The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves as the leading resource and technical assistance center for a national network of community-based service providers helping homeless veterans. Based in Washington, D.C., it is the only national organization solely dedicated to ending homelessness among veterans.
The NCHV aims to end veteran homelessness through public policy development, promoting collaboration, and strengthening the capacity of service providers.
- Policy Advocacy: It acts as a liaison between service providers, Congress, and federal agencies.
- Policy Successes: The NCHV has been instrumental in the creation and increased funding of nearly all federal programs assisting homeless veterans, including the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Grant and Per Diem Program.
- Reducing Homelessness: Since 2010, the coalition’s work and that of its partners have contributed to a nearly 50% decrease in the number of veterans experiencing homelessness.
Volunteers of America (VOA)
Volunteers of America (VOA) is a major national provider of housing services for veterans, currently assisting more than 27,000 veterans annually with programs ranging from emergency shelters to permanent supportive housing.
Beginning in January 2026, VOA will participate in a national peer-to-peer healthcare navigation initiative to facilitate access to essential physical and mental health services for veterans participating in housing programs.
Many VOA locations, such as VOA Los Angeles, offer the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program, which provides counseling and job placement services to help veterans maintain long-term housing stability.
Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
Disabled American Veterans (DAV) is a leading 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering veterans with service-connected disabilities to lead fulfilling lives. Founded in 1920, it provides lifelong support through professional assistance with benefits claims, advocacy, and community programs.
DAV provides assistance to more than one million veterans annually, at no cost to them.
- Claims Assistance: DAV National Service Officers help veterans navigate the complex Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) system to apply for disability compensation and other benefits they are entitled to. They have filed more than 12 million claims since their founding.
- Transportation Network: An extensive fleet of vehicles, operated by volunteers, provides free transportation for sick and injured veterans to and from VA medical facilities. In 2025, they provided more than 235,000 of these rides.
- Employment Programs: DAV hosts dozens of job fairs annually, connecting transitioning service members and veterans with employers committed to hiring from the veteran community.
- Emergency Assistance: The DAV Auxiliary Family Assistance Program offers one-time payments (up to $1,000) to cover essential expenses such as rent or utilities during financial crises.
DAV released its 2026 Critical Policy Goals in January 2026, that you can check out.
Conclusion
Emergency housing is much more than just a roof over one’s head: it’s the gateway to recovery, dignity, and stability for veterans and families in crisis. By combining immediate shelter with supportive services, programs like HUD-VASH and local emergency shelters help vulnerable populations rebuild their lives. Expanding these initiatives and ensuring their accessibility will be crucial to reducing homelessness nationwide.
