While the overall number of homeless veterans has seen a dramatic 52.9% decline since 2010, a stark reality persists: on a single night in 2023, over 35,000 U.S. veterans—a group that selflessly served our nation—found themselves without a home.
Key Takeaways
- Approximately 35,574 U.S. veterans experienced homelessness on a single night in January 2023
- Veterans make up 10% of the entire homeless population in the U.S. despite comprising only 7% of the general adult population
- The number of homeless veterans decreased by 7.5% from 2022 to 2023
- 90% of homeless veterans are men
- 9% of homeless veterans are women
- The average age of homeless veterans is 50 years old
- 35% of veterans experience homelessness within 5 years of discharge
- Substance use disorders contribute to 40% of veteran homelessness cases
- Unemployment rate among homeless veterans is 70%
- 37% of homeless vets have PTSD and substance use disorder
- Depression rates 69% among homeless veterans
- 91% lifetime prevalence of any psychiatric disorder
- 85% of VA homeless programs funded by HUD-VASH
- VA serves over 45,000 homeless veterans annually via 142 grantees
- HUD-VASH has housed over 100,000 veterans since 2008
Veteran homelessness is declining, but thousands still need housing and support.
Causes/Risks
135% of veterans experience homelessness within 5 years of discharge
Verified2Substance use disorders contribute to 40% of veteran homelessness cases
Verified3Unemployment rate among homeless veterans is 70%
Verified425% of homeless veterans cite eviction as primary cause
Directional5Military sexual trauma increases homelessness risk by 3x for women vets
Single source6Lack of affordable housing is reported by 68% of homeless veterans
Verified7TBI (traumatic brain injury) linked to 30% higher homelessness risk
Verified841% of homeless vets have alcohol dependence issues
Verified9Domestic violence precedes 20% of female veteran homelessness
Directional10Post-service poverty affects 21% of veterans, leading to homelessness
Single source1176% of homeless veterans report mental health problems as a factor
Verified12Incarceration history in 60% of homeless veterans
Verified13Low income (<$10k/year) in 85% of cases
Verified14Family breakdown cited by 45% of homeless vets
Directional15Discharge status (other than honorable) increases risk 3x
Single source1628% cite job loss as trigger
Verified17Chronic pain from service injuries in 50% leading to opioid use
Verified18Rural isolation contributes to 15% higher risk
Verified19Foreclosure affected 18% pre-homelessness
Directional2067% have co-occurring mental health and substance abuse
Single sourceCauses/Risks Interpretation
Our veterans are being discharged into a perfect storm where service injuries become chronic pain, trauma becomes mental illness, and a broken safety net turns poverty into a desperate, threefold-likely slide from eviction to the streets, all while we thank them for their service.
Demographics
190% of homeless veterans are men
Verified29% of homeless veterans are women
Verified3The average age of homeless veterans is 50 years old
Verified444% of homeless veterans are age 55 or older
Directional5Black veterans are overrepresented, comprising 32% of homeless veterans vs. 12% of veterans
Single source6Hispanic/Latino veterans make up 7% of homeless veterans
Verified7White veterans comprise 56% of the homeless veteran population
Verified811% of homeless veterans are Native American/Alaska Native
Verified954% of homeless veterans served in post-9/11 era
Directional1027% served in Vietnam era
Single source11Gulf War era veterans are 33% of homeless veterans
Verified128% of homeless veterans are LGBTQ+
Verified13Rural homeless veterans are 12% of the total
Verified1440% of homeless veterans have dependent children
Directional15Female homeless veterans increased 26% from 2012-2014
Single source1625% of homeless veterans are under 35 years old
Verified17Asian/Pacific Islander veterans are 2% of homeless vets
Verified18Multiracial veterans comprise 4% of homeless population
Verified1970% of homeless veterans are high school graduates or higher
Directional20Army veterans are 38% of homeless veterans
Single source21Navy veterans 20%, Marines 16%, Air Force 15% of homeless vets
Verified2260% of homeless veterans have disabilities
Verified2326% of homeless veterans have severe mental illness
Verified24PTSD affects 40% of homeless veterans
Directional2550% of homeless veterans served in combat zones
Single sourceDemographics Interpretation
It's a national disgrace that the face of veteran homelessness is so often an older man of color bearing the hidden wounds of war, yet this crisis also quietly ensnares a growing number of young women and families, proving that the battlefield's aftermath doesn't discriminate by branch, era, or even the roof over one's head.
Health/Mental Health
137% of homeless vets have PTSD and substance use disorder
Verified2Depression rates 69% among homeless veterans
Verified391% lifetime prevalence of any psychiatric disorder
Verified4Suicide rate 4x higher for homeless veterans
Directional546% have drug dependence history
Single source6HIV/AIDS prevalence 1.5% vs. 0.4% general population
Verified774% report lifetime alcohol abuse
Verified8Schizophrenia affects 10% of homeless vets
Verified9Bipolar disorder in 12%
Directional1065% have at least one chronic health condition
Single source11Liver disease from alcohol 20% higher
Verified1227% seriously mentally ill
Verified13COPD/asthma in 25%
Verified14Diabetes prevalence 18%
Directional1550% untreated hypertension
Single source1640% report hallucinations or delusions
Verified1733% have personality disorders
Verified1815% have hepatitis C
Verified19Anxiety disorders 54%
Directional2070% lifetime drug abuse/dependence
Single sourceHealth/Mental Health Interpretation
While our veterans were fighting to protect us abroad, we've clearly failed to protect them at home, as the shocking statistics on homelessness, mental health, addiction, and chronic illness reveal a brutal war of neglect that continues long after their service ends.
Overall Numbers
1Approximately 35,574 U.S. veterans experienced homelessness on a single night in January 2023
Verified2Veterans make up 10% of the entire homeless population in the U.S. despite comprising only 7% of the general adult population
Verified3The number of homeless veterans decreased by 7.5% from 2022 to 2023
Verified4In 2023, 92% of homeless veterans were individuals, while 8% were in families
Directional5Los Angeles had the largest homeless veteran population with 3,878 in 2023
Single source6New York/Newark had 2,727 homeless veterans counted in 2023 PIT
Verified7The unsheltered homeless veteran population was 5,421 in 2023
Verified8Sheltered homeless veterans numbered 30,153 in January 2023
Verified9From 2010 to 2023, homeless veterans declined by 52.9%
Directional10In 2020, 37,252 veterans were homeless on a single night
Single source11Florida reported 3,142 homeless veterans in 2023 PIT count
Verified12Washington state had 1,768 homeless veterans in 2023
Verified13California accounted for 27% of all homeless veterans in 2023
Verified14In 2019, 35,574 homeless veterans were reported, matching 2023 levels
Directional15Seattle/King County had 1,229 homeless veterans in 2023
Single source16The rate of veteran homelessness is 22 per 10,000 veterans
Verified1712,751 chronically homeless veterans were counted in 2023
Verified18From 2009 to 2020, veteran homelessness dropped 49%
Verified19Texas had 2,060 homeless veterans in 2023 PIT
Directional20Philadelphia had 1,098 homeless veterans in 2023
Single source2164% of homeless veterans are sheltered, compared to 37% of non-veterans
Verified22In 2022, 38,369 veterans were homeless
Verified23San Diego had 1,589 homeless veterans in 2023
Verified24The District of Columbia had 289 homeless veterans in 2023
Directional25Veteran homelessness declined 11% from 2018 to 2019
Single source26San Francisco/Oakland had 2,030 homeless veterans in 2023 PIT
VerifiedOverall Numbers Interpretation
While the 52.9% decline since 2010 offers a glimmer of progress, the stark fact that veterans are still disproportionately over-represented on our streets—making up 10% of the homeless population but only 7% of adults—serves as a biting indictment of a nation that celebrates service with one hand and tolerates neglect with the other.
Programs/Interventions
185% of VA homeless programs funded by HUD-VASH
Verified2VA serves over 45,000 homeless veterans annually via 142 grantees
Verified3HUD-VASH has housed over 100,000 veterans since 2008
Verified4SSVF program assisted 40,000 veterans in 2022
Directional5Grant and Per Diem program funded 40,000 beds annually
Single source693% housing retention rate after 6 months in VA programs
Verified7Operation Stand Down provides services to 10,000+ vets yearly
Verified8VA's Joint Comprehensive Plan ended vet homelessness in 36 communities
Verified92022 VA homeless funding was $1.4 billion
Directional10HVRP employment programs placed 16,000 vets in jobs since 1990
Single source11400+ VA Medical Centers offer homeless services
Verified12Stand Down events served 100,000+ veterans since inception
Verified1375% of homeless vets access VA health care within a year
Verified14Contract Residential Services for 2,500 beds
Directional1550 states have Zero Veteran Homelessness initiatives
Single source16Domiciliary care for 5,000 homeless vets annually
Verified1798% of housed vets via HUD-VASH remain housed after 1 year
Verified18National Call Center for Homeless Vets receives 100,000 calls/year
Verified19120,000 unique homeless vets treated by VA in FY2022
Directional20Community Outreach programs in 150+ cities
Single source212,500+ transitional housing beds via GPD
VerifiedPrograms/Interventions Interpretation
These numbers prove that while we can and should do more, the existing systems are a lifeline that's actively pulling tens of thousands of veterans out of the shadows and into homes, healthcare, and hope.
Sources & References
- Reference 1HUDUSERhuduser.govVisit source
- Reference 2NLIHCnlihc.orgVisit source
- Reference 3VAva.govVisit source
- Reference 4HUDEXCHANGEhudexchange.infoVisit source
- Reference 5ENDHOMELESSNESSendhomelessness.orgVisit source
- Reference 6USICHusich.govVisit source
- Reference 7RURALHEALTHINFOruralhealthinfo.orgVisit source
- Reference 8GAOgao.govVisit source
- Reference 9PTSDptsd.va.govVisit source
- Reference 10NCBIncbi.nlm.nih.govVisit source
- Reference 11AMERICANPROGRESSamericanprogress.orgVisit source
- Reference 12PRISONPOLICYprisonpolicy.orgVisit source
- Reference 13HUDhud.govVisit source
- Reference 14STDOHIOstdohio.orgVisit source
- Reference 15DOLdol.govVisit source
- Reference 16NVHCnvhc.orgVisit source