VA says Veteran feedback is shaping its homelessness programs

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs said Veteran feedback is guiding changes to its homelessness programs, according to an Oct. 23, 2026 article by Shawn Liu, national homeless program manager in the VHA Homeless Programs Office.

The department said its mission to reduce and ultimately end Veteran homelessness does not change when a Veteran declines services. Instead, VA said, it and its community partners must work to understand why. Some Veterans may hesitate because of past negative experiences with institutions, or concerns about eligibility, privacy or independence, the agency said.

According to VA, input gathered through the annual CHALENG survey, outreach efforts and frontline staff has influenced services. Veterans have consistently pointed to the importance of legal assistance, dental care, low-barrier Safe Haven programs and Grant and Per Diem (GPD) transitional housing, the department said.

VA said the GPD program offers several transitional housing models, including Clinical Treatment, Hospital-to-Housing, Bridge Housing, Service-Intensive Transitional Housing and Transition-in-Place. The department also said its Healthcare for Homeless Veterans Contract Residential Services offers Medical Respite programs for Veterans who need short-term residential care while recovering from an illness, injury or other medical condition.

VA encouraged Veterans to keep sharing their experiences through the CHALENG survey and with local VA staff. Veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness can call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838, the department said.

Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Originally published by True News: https://truenews.bagleyenterprises.net/stories/378