Veterans Affairs addresses issue of homeless veterans with $800M spending plan

(The Center Square) — The Department of Veterans Affairs announced Friday it will spend $806.4 million in two grants to reduce homelessness among U.S. veterans.

The VA will give $797.5 million to a program that will help veterans find and keep housing. The program is the Supportive Services for Veteran Families.

There will be another $8.9 million given to the Grant and Per Diem Program to assist veterans with transitional housing and case management.

"We're making real progress in reducing Veteran homelessness, but there is much more work to do," said VA Secretary Denis McDonough in a statement.

The national snapshot of homelessness released in 2023 stated there were 35,574 homeless veterans. That's a decline of 53% since 2010 according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. There were 76,329 homeless veterans in 2010.

The VA states its goal in fiscal year 2024 is place 46,500 homeless veterans in permanent housing.