Veterans homelessness has dropped to its lowest level on record since the annual point-in-time count started including this data in 2009, reported the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
HUD will publish the full 2024 point-in-time data, which represents a snapshot of homelessness on a single night, later this year. However, the federal agency is providing an early look about the strides made when it comes to housing veterans.
Between January 2023 and January 2024, the number of veterans experiencing any form of homelessness decreased 7.5% from 35,574 to 32,882. This also marks an 11.7% drop since 2020 and a staggering 55.6% decline since 2010. The number of unsheltered veterans dropped 10.7% between 2023 and 2024—from 15,507 to 13,851.
“Far too many of our nation’s veterans experience homelessness each year, and that is why HUD is laser-focused on ensuring that every veteran has a home,” says HUD agency head Adrianne Todman. “Today, thanks to interagency efforts by the entire Biden-Harris administration and our partners on the ground, we are proud to announce a significant decline in veteran homelessness this year.”
The news comes just two weeks after the VA announced it permanently housed 47,925 veterans experiencing homelessness in fiscal year 2024, surpassing its goal of 41,000 veterans. This marks the largest number of veterans housed in a single year since fiscal 2019. In addition, nearly 90,000 veterans were under lease with vouchers through the HUD-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program at the end of fiscal 2024, the most served at any point in the program’s history.
“No veteran should experience homelessness in this country they swore to defend,” says VA secretary Denis McDonough. “This year’s point-in-time count shows that VA and the entire Biden-Harris administration are making real progress in the fight to end veteran homelessness. We still have a long way to go, but we will not stop until every veteran has a safe, stable place to call home.”
Public-private partnerships are contributing to housing solutions for the nation’s veterans. Developers from coast to coast are celebrating the openings or groundbreakings of affordable housing communities for veterans and other low-income households. From Los Angeles to New Jersey, read more about the work that is taking place.
MacArthur Field A and B
Efforts are underway to bring at least 1,200 units of housing for formerly homeless and at-risk veterans on the VA’s West Los Angeles campus. The West LA Veterans Collective, a partnership of Century Housing, Thomas Safran & Associates, and U.S.VETS, is serving as principal developer of the master plan.
Part of these efforts include the 3-acre MacArthur Field site, where affordable housing developer The Core Cos., along with nonprofit partner Affordable Housing CDC, is creating 148 units for homeless or at-risk veterans with special needs earning at or below 30% and 50% of the area median income (AMI).
Residents began moving into the 74 units at MacArthur Field A at the end of September, and the first phase was almost 100% occupied by early November. MacArthur Field B, which will add another 74 units to the community, started construction in late 2023 and is expected to be completed in mid-2025.
“It is our duty to take care of our veterans, and that includes providing housing,” says Aaron Barger, senior director of project management at The Core Cos. “When you take the time to learn about the journey our veterans encountered while they were serving, being a part of the team that can provide a new home to each veteran takes on more meaning. It gives them a new lease on life in a way. And they have access to the VA hospital on the campus, which is a huge plus for the residents.”
All units are covered by HUD-VASH vouchers. Case management is provided by service provider New Directions for Veterans as well as the VA, and EAH Housing serves as the property manager.
In addition, The Veterans Collective, Brentwood School, and other organizations welcomed residents with duffel bags filled with supplies, including toiletries, blankets, towels, and pots and pans.
Both properties will have case management, property management, and their own amenity spaces, which include a fitness room, a card room, a library, and a community room with a food pantry that is about to get started. A courtyard sits between the two buildings and provides barbecue areas, seating, and a community garden with planter boxes. In addition, residents and their pets will have access to a shared fenced-in dog park.
“We’re going to have cooking classes, gardening, and other programs to bring people together so they can get to know each other and create a strong, new community,” adds Barger.
Financing partners for the $46 million first phase include National Equity Fund (NEF), U.S. Bank, California Community Reinvestment Corp., California Housing Finance Agency, Century Housing, California Department of Housing & Community Development, and the VA.
Additional partners include VTBS Architects, general contractor Build Group, and civil engineer Labib Funk + Associates.
Main Street Apartments
Highridge Costa and Western Community Housing also are serving homeless veterans and families in Los Angeles. The affordable housing developers and their partners celebrated the opening of the 57-unit Main Street Apartments in the South Park neighborhood near downtown at the end of October.
The permanent supportive housing (PSH) development provides fully furnished units to homeless veterans and families earning at or below 30% to 50% of the AMI. Forty-two studio units are targeted toward homeless veterans, and 14 two-bedroom units target homeless families; in addition, there is a one-bedroom unit for an on-site manager. In addition to 23 units set aside for homeless persons experiencing a mental health disorder, the site is fully accessible for those with disabilities, with seven units having mobility accessibility features and four having communication accessibility features.
The community has 1,500 square feet of commercial space reserved for a local nonprofit or flex space for residents. Residents also have access to a community room, a courtyard, roof terraces, bike storage, as well as on-site resident services and case management. The lobby features a mural by local artist Kristine Campbell that includes a great blue heron, which symbolizes the transformation, wisdom, and determination of the residents.
The $39.2 million development was made a reality through public-private partnerships. Partners included the VA, California Debt Limit Allocation Committee, California Tax Credit Allocation Committee, Los Angeles County Development Authority, Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Housing Department, Citi Community Capital, RBC Community Investments, The People Concern, Volunteers of America, and Volunteers of America Los Angeles.
“The grand opening of permanent supportive housing at Main Street Apartments is a great testament of how public-private partnerships can provide a legacy of attractive, safe, and affordable housing for our veterans and their families,” says Moe Mohanna, president of Highridge Costa Development Co. “Over the life of the community, we anticipate that the stability, services, and programs offered at Main Street Apartments will assist hundreds of veterans and families in the Los Angeles area to rebuild their lives.”
Otto Veterans Square
The Housing Authority of Cook County (HACC) has opened Otto Veterans Square, an 82-unit, four-story development on the former site of St. James Hospital in Chicago Heights, Illinois.
“This is truly a beautiful, thoughtfully designed building by HED and partners that our veterans can be proud to call home,” says Danita W. Childers, HACC executive director. “This development is a standing reflection of our commitment to address veteran homelessness in the community and contribute to the revitalization of downtown Chicago Heights.”
Comprehensive supportive services are being offered to the veterans through partnerships with the VA and local nonprofit Respond Now. Residents also have access to a range of amenities, including a fitness room, a media room, walking paths, and raised planting beds for community gardens. The development also provides 82 parking spots, including spaces for handicap and electric vehicles.
Otto Veterans Square is the first new development to emerge from the Downtown/East Side Choice Neighborhoods Plan, which was jointly developed by the city of Chicago Heights and HACC and funded by a $350,000 grant from HUD.
Financing partners for the $30.8 million development included HUD, the Illinois Housing Development Authority, the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development, NEF, BMO, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, Wintrust Bank, the ComEd Energy Efficiency Program, and Nicor.
“Otto Square Veterans Housing represents the pinnacle of what we can achieve when the federal government supports the vision of local leaders and public, private, and nonprofit partners,” said Richard J. Monocchio, principal deputy assistant secretary for the Office of Public and Indian Housing at HUD and former HACC executive director, at the ribbon-cutting ceremony in mid-September. “The Biden-Harris administration’s work to end veteran homelessness would not be possible without the focused and collaborative efforts of amazing partners like the HACC and the city of Chicago Heights to ensure that every veteran has a roof over their head and the support they need when they return home.”
Alley Landing
At the end of October, Woda Cooper Cos. broke ground on a 40-unit affordable housing community that will include eight permanent supportive housing units with a veteran priority.
Alley Landing will provide one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments for residents earning up to 50% and 60% of the AMI. The city of Des Moines is providing housing vouchers for the eight permanent supportive housing units.
Families Forward will provide supportive services to the PSH units, and AMVETS Post 2 and the Des Moines VA Community Resource & Referral Center will provide referrals for veterans experiencing homelessness. Woda Management & Real Estate will be the property manager.
“Alley Landing will provide new quality affordable homes for moderate- and lower-income residents, including individuals who have struggled with homelessness,” says Barry Accountius, vice president of development at Woda Cooper Cos. and a veteran. “We appreciate the support from the city of Des Moines, the Iowa Finance Authority, and all the partners who are making Alley Landing possible.”
The development will have a multipurpose room with a kitchenette, an on-site manager’s office, a supportive services office, a fenced-in dog park, and a playground.
Financing partners for the $13.7 million Alley Landing include the city of Des Moines, the Iowa Finance Authority, Bank of America, and Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust.
Additional partners include architect Hooker DeJong and general contractor Woda Construction.
Gordon H. Mansfield Veterans and Seniors Village
WinnDevelopment will break ground in January on the Gordon H. Mansfield Veterans and Seniors Village in West Deptford, New Jersey. The $27 million development will consist of the new construction of 84 units of age-restricted affordable housing for veterans.
The community will have a mix of one- and two-bedroom units with 21 units at or below 30% of the AMI, 21 units at or below 50% of the AMI, and 42 units at or below 60% of the AMI. There will be ample vet-specific community spaces, and nonprofit Soldier On will deliver on-site supportive services specifically designed for veterans.
The building will be Passive House certified and will feature a rooftop solar array and other significant sustainability features.
“We've seen firsthand the pressing demand for affordable veterans housing, especially among those who served after 9/11,” says WinnDevelopment senior vice president David Ginsberg. “The challenges this population faces are unique and complex. Working with Soldier On, we want to pursue housing developments that offer vets the kind of supportive environment at the core of a true community.”
This project is located 84 miles from a similar veterans affordable housing project that Winn and Soldier On opened in November 2021 in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, delivering 70 one-bedroom units of permanent supportive housing, with set-asides for homeless and formerly homeless veterans. The Tinton Falls development leased up within one month and now features a waiting list of over 100 households.
Financing partners for the development include the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Bank of America, Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, Gloucester County, the township of West Deptford, The Home Depot Foundation, and the Department of Energy.
Additional partners include general contractor Del Sano Contracting and architect and engineer PS&S.
