CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The Cheyenne VA Healthcare System has housed 136 veterans experiencing homelessness in southeast Wyoming and Northern Colorado this fiscal year, it recently announced in a release. A total of 96% of these veterans have not returned to homelessness, and 134 unsheltered veterans in this network have been engaged to ensure they have access to the housing and other wraparound services they need.
Nationally, during this same time period, VA housed 43,116 veterans experiencing homelessness, surpassing its fiscal year 2024 goal to house 41,000 veterans a month earlier than anticipated. A total of 96.3% of the veterans housed have not returned to homelessness, and 38,476 unsheltered veterans have been engaged nationally.
Preventing and eliminating veteran homelessness is a top priority for the VA. Between 2022 and 2023, the VA permanently housed nearly 87,000 veterans. As a result of these efforts, the number of veterans experiencing homelessness in the U.S. has fallen by over 4% since early 2020 and by more than 52% since 2010.
“No person who has served this country should ever have to experience homelessness,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “As a result of this year’s efforts, more than 43,000 formerly homeless Veterans now have access to the homes that they deserve. And make no mistake: we won’t rest until every Veteran has a safe, stable, accessible, and affordable home to call their own.”
The VA has taken considerable steps this year to combat veteran homelessness. This week, the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness released the federal government’s first-ever framework for homelessness prevention and launched a new series spotlighting local and federal efforts to prevent homelessness. Last month, the VA awarded more than $800 million in grants via its Supportive Services for Veteran Families and Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem programs, and in July it awarded over $26 million in grants to support legal services for veterans facing homelessness.
Additionally, last month, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the VA announced policy changes that will help more veterans receive housing assistance under the HUD-VA Supportive Housing program.
