While we celebrate an overall decline, the sobering reality is that on any given night in 2023, an estimated 35,574 American veterans—who once swore to protect our homeland—had no place to call their own.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, approximately 35,574 U.S. veterans experienced homelessness on a single night according to the HUD Point-in-Time (PIT) count
- Veterans make up 12% of the homeless adult population in the United States as reported in the 2023 HUD Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR)
- The number of sheltered homeless veterans decreased by 7.5% from 2022 to 2023, totaling 22,627 individuals, per HUD PIT data
- Black or African American veterans represent 32% of homeless veterans despite being 19% of the veteran population, 2023 HUD
- Male veterans constitute 89% of the homeless veteran population in 2023, HUD PIT count
- Veterans aged 55 and older account for 52% of homeless veterans in 2023, per HUD data
- 27% of homeless veterans have a serious mental illness, compared to 21% of non-veteran homeless, 2023 AHAR
- PTSD affects 40% of homeless veterans, per VA studies
- Substance use disorders are present in 68% of homeless veterans accessing VA services, 2022 VA data
- 76% of homeless veterans served in combat roles, increasing mental health risks, NCHV 2023
- Military sexual trauma contributes to 30% of homelessness cases among female veterans, VA study
- Unemployment rate among homeless veterans is 85%, per HUD/VA surveys
- VA's HUD-VASH program housed 105,000 veterans since 2008, with 90% retention after one year, VA 2023
- SSVF program served 100,000+ veterans in 2023, preventing homelessness for 75%, VA data
- Grant and Per Diem program funded 40,000 beds for veterans in 2023, VA report
A concerning number of veterans still face homelessness despite significant overall progress.
Causes and Risk Factors
- 76% of homeless veterans served in combat roles, increasing mental health risks, NCHV 2023
- Military sexual trauma contributes to 30% of homelessness cases among female veterans, VA study
- Unemployment rate among homeless veterans is 85%, per HUD/VA surveys
- Lack of affordable housing affects 49% of at-risk veterans leading to homelessness, USICH 2023
- Eviction rates for veterans are 20% higher due to credit issues from service, CFPB 2022
- Transition challenges from military to civilian life cause 35% of veteran homelessness, VA 2023
- Military discharge status (other than honorable) correlates with 40% higher homelessness risk, VA 2023
- Poverty affects 70% of homeless veterans pre-homelessness, NCHV
- Domestic violence leads to 25% of female veteran homelessness, VA
- Incarceration history in 60% of homeless vets, DOJ/VA 2022
- Foreclosure rates spiked 300% for vets post-2008 crisis, contributing to ongoing issues, HUD
- Family separation post-service causes 28% of cases, RAND study
- Gambling addiction in 15% of homeless vets, VA
- Disability rating under 50% correlates with 55% higher risk, VA data
- Rural veterans 20% more likely to be unsheltered, HUD 2023
- Child support debt burdens 40% of homeless dads, Urban Institute
- TBI + PTSD combo in 20% of OIF/OEF vets homeless, VA
- Low income (<$10k/yr) in 80% pre-homeless, HUD
- Sexual assault history 55% female vets homeless, VA
- Criminal justice involvement 70%, recidivism high, BJS
- Utility shutoffs precede 30% homelessness cases, NCHV
Causes and Risk Factors Interpretation
We have asked them to return from the battlefield, only to abandon them in a gauntlet of bureaucratic indifference, mental anguish, and financial ruin, where a dishonorable discharge or an unpaid utility bill can be as lethal as any enemy fire.
Demographics
- Black or African American veterans represent 32% of homeless veterans despite being 19% of the veteran population, 2023 HUD
- Male veterans constitute 89% of the homeless veteran population in 2023, HUD PIT count
- Veterans aged 55 and older account for 52% of homeless veterans in 2023, per HUD data
- Hispanic or Latino veterans make up 8% of homeless veterans, compared to 9% of all veterans, 2023 HUD
- In urban areas, 65% of homeless veterans are found, while rural areas have 10%, per 2023 HUD CoC data
- Post-9/11 era veterans (served 2001+) represent 22% of homeless veterans, VA 2023
- Vietnam-era veterans comprise 28% of the homeless veteran population, per VA homeless registry
- Female homeless veterans increased by 26% from 2012 to 2023, now at 11% of total, HUD/VA
- Veterans aged 35-44 represent 25% of homeless vets, 2023 HUD
- Native American veterans are 2.5 times more likely to be homeless than white veterans, VA 2022
- 18% of homeless veterans are families with children, per 2023 AHAR
- Gulf War era vets (1990-2001) are 20% of homeless population, VA
- White veterans are 49% of homeless vets, HUD 2023
- 62% of homeless veterans report chronic homelessness (1+ year), 2023 HUD
- Veterans under 25 are 3% of homeless vets, rising due to recent conflicts, HUD 2023
- Asian/Pacific Islander vets 2% of homeless, HUD
- 7% of homeless vets are unaccompanied youth, VA estimates
- Korean War era vets still 1% of homeless pop at 90+ years, HUD 2023
- Multiracial veterans 7% of homeless, up 2% YoY, HUD
- Veterans 65+ are 12% of homeless vets, HUD 2023
- Unknown race/ethnicity 2% in counts, HUD
- LGBTQ veterans 5-10% of homeless vets, higher risk, VA estimates
- WWII vets negligible now, <0.1%, historical data
- 45+ age group 75% of homeless vets, NCHV 2023
- Veterans 25-34: 20% of homeless, HUD 2023
- Non-Hispanic Black 30% homeless vets
- Female vets with kids 4% of total homeless families, HUD
- Era of service unknown 5%, estimates, VA
- Homeless vets avg age 50-60 dominant, 40%, NCHV
Demographics Interpretation
The unsettling truth within these numbers is that while we have thanked veterans for their service with a statue, we have failed far too many of them with a system that disproportionately allows Black, older, and male veterans to fall into chronic homelessness, proving that a uniform is not a shield against societal neglect.
Health and Mental Health
- 27% of homeless veterans have a serious mental illness, compared to 21% of non-veteran homeless, 2023 AHAR
- PTSD affects 40% of homeless veterans, per VA studies
- Substance use disorders are present in 68% of homeless veterans accessing VA services, 2022 VA data
- Homeless veterans have a 50% higher rate of chronic health conditions like diabetes and hypertension than housed veterans, VA 2023
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) prevalence is 25% among homeless veterans, per VA research
- Suicide rate among homeless veterans is 7 times higher than the general population, CDC/VA 2022
- Liver disease affects 15% of homeless veterans, higher than general vet pop, VA 2023
- Depression rates are 70% among homeless vets seeking VA care, 2022 data
- 45% of homeless veterans have co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, VA
- HIV/AIDS prevalence is 1.5% in homeless vets vs 0.4% general pop, HUD 2023
- Average life expectancy for homeless veterans is 10-15 years less, studies show
- COPD/asthma in 30% of homeless vets, VA health data
- Anxiety disorders in 50% of homeless vets, VA 2023
- 35% have schizophrenia or bipolar, vs 25% non-vets, HUD 2023
- Dental health issues in 80% due to lack of care, NCHV
- Cancer rates 20% higher in homeless vets from exposures, VA study
- Heart disease in 40% of homeless vets over 50, VA
- Opioid use disorder 25% prevalence, CDC/VA 2023
- Bipolar disorder 20%, VA homeless registry
- Vision/hearing impairments 35%, higher barriers, HUD 2023
- Infectious diseases 2x rate, like hepatitis C 30%, VA
- Arthritis/chronic pain 60% in homeless vets, VA
- Alcohol use disorder 50%, primary substance, VA 2023
- Personality disorders 15%, complicating recovery, HUD
- Mobility impairments 25%, VA data
- Skin infections 40% untreated, high in unsheltered, NCHV
Health and Mental Health Interpretation
The statistics paint a grim, multi-layered portrait where the trauma of service combines with the brutal indifference of the streets, turning treatable wounds into cascading crises that our nation's heroes should never have to face alone.
Prevalence and Numbers
- In 2023, approximately 35,574 U.S. veterans experienced homelessness on a single night according to the HUD Point-in-Time (PIT) count
- Veterans make up 12% of the homeless adult population in the United States as reported in the 2023 HUD Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR)
- The number of sheltered homeless veterans decreased by 7.5% from 2022 to 2023, totaling 22,627 individuals, per HUD PIT data
- Unsheltered homeless veterans numbered 12,947 in 2023, representing 36% of all homeless veterans, according to HUD
- In 2023, California had the highest number of homeless veterans at 13,348, comprising 38% of the national total, HUD PIT
- From 2010 to 2023, overall veteran homelessness declined by 52.9%, from 75,609 to 35,574, VA and HUD data
- In 2022, 37,000 veterans were homeless on any given night, per VA reports
- New York City reported 4,200 homeless veterans in 2023 PIT, down 15% from prior year, local HUD
- Florida had 2,800 homeless veterans in 2023, 8% of national total, HUD PIT
- Texas sheltered 2,100 homeless veterans in 2023, up 5% YoY, HUD data
- Los Angeles had 4,000 homeless vets in 2023, 65% unsheltered, HUD PIT
- Seattle/King County reported 1,200 homeless vets, down 20%, 2023 PIT
- Philadelphia PIT 2023: 1,100 homeless vets, down 10%, local data
- Washington DC had 400 homeless vets, 50% sheltered, 2023 PIT
- Boston 2023 PIT: 650 homeless vets, 40% unsheltered
- Chicago reported 1,500 homeless vets 2023, down 12%
Prevalence and Numbers Interpretation
The bittersweet truth: while we've cut veteran homelessness in half since 2010, over 35,000 heroes still sleep without a home, a stark reminder that our debt of gratitude remains partially unpaid.
Services Programs and Outcomes
- VA's HUD-VASH program housed 105,000 veterans since 2008, with 90% retention after one year, VA 2023
- SSVF program served 100,000+ veterans in 2023, preventing homelessness for 75%, VA data
- Grant and Per Diem program funded 40,000 beds for veterans in 2023, VA report
- Employment success rate for homeless veterans in VA programs is 65% within 6 months, 2023 VA
- Permanent supportive housing ends chronic homelessness for 85% of veteran participants, HUD 2023
- In 2023, 11% decline in veteran homelessness in 50 communities via 25 Cities Challenge, USICH
- VA Outreach teams contacted 90,000 veterans in 2023
- 100% Access to permanent housing goal met in 72 communities by 2023, VA
- Stand Down events served 50,000 homeless vets in 2023, NCHV
- VR&E program placed 15,000 homeless vets into jobs in 2022, VA
- Chronic veteran homelessness down 42% since 2010, to 14,000 in 2023, HUD
- JES program trained 20,000 homeless vets for jobs in 2023, VA
- Community Care Network served 30,000 vets, 80% housed, 2023
- Adaptive housing grants awarded to 5,000 disabled homeless vets, VA
- Peer support programs reached 25,000 vets, 70% improvement in stability, VA 2023
- Zero Veteran Homelessness communities grew to 100 by 2023, up from 50, USICH
- HVRP funded 50 programs, employed 8,000 vets 2023, DOL/VA
- Legal services via VA prevented 10,000 evictions 2023
- Healthcare for Homeless Vets (HCHV) served 75,000 encounters, VA
- Domiciliary care admitted 12,000 homeless vets, 85% success, VA 2023
- National Call Center for Homeless Vets handled 200,000 calls 2023
Services Programs and Outcomes Interpretation
While the data paints a clear picture of the staggering scale and persistent challenges of veteran homelessness, it is the symphony of targeted programs—from housing to healthcare to job training—that is finally turning the tide, proving a nation's debt can be paid not just with gratitude, but with a tangible key, a steady job, and a lasting home.
Sources & References
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- Reference 6CDCcdc.govVisit source
- Reference 7NCHVnchv.orgVisit source
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- Reference 15PUBMEDpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govVisit source
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- Reference 24BOSTONboston.govVisit source
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