Housing Assistance For Veterans With Felonies
Finding safe and affordable housing is a challenge that many offenders face after being released from prison. Without access to a support network after incarceration, veterans often end up on the streets or couch surfing. The Department of Veterans Affairs is working hard to end homelessness for all veterans.
The VA helps veterans who are victims of crime find Housing Assistance For Veterans With Felonies through several of their programs. In 2023, the VA placed more than 46,000 homeless veterans in permanent housing. In addition to the VA, charities and nonprofit organizations are other sources of support, offering assistance to veterans who are victims of crime and need help finding housing.
VA Programs Providing Housing For Veterans With Felonies
Your local VA is the first place you should contact to learn about your housing options. VA has some housing programs open to justice-involved veterans.
VA Homeless Program
The Veterans Justice Outreach Program (VJO) works with the VA Office of Homeless Programs to help veterans find housing, employment, and support. Every VA medical center has a VJO specialist on site that you can speak with or call 877-424-3838 to get help with your emergency and long-term housing needs.
Find your nearest VA Medical Center here: https://www.va.gov/directory/guide/home.asp
VA Health Care For Reentry Veterans Program.
Contact the Health Care for Retired Veterans Program (HCRV) if you have not yet been released from prison. A key component of this VA program is helping incarcerated veterans develop plans to avoid release and homelessness.
For more information visit: https://www.va.gov/homeless/reentry.asp
HUD-VASH Housing Program
The HUD VA Supportive Housing Program is available to veterans and their families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The housing program combines housing vouchers with VA case management services to equip veterans for long-term housing success.
Funded through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), VASH vouchers allow veterans to rent housing from private landlords. Tenants pay only a portion of their income on rent, HUD covers the rest.
To take advantage of this housing program, visit your nearest VA Medical Center, and speak with a Homeless Coordinator. Alternatively, call the national call center for homeless veterans at 877-424-3838 and ask about the HUD-VASH program. Once your eligibility is evaluated, the VA will coordinate with your local housing authority to secure your rental assistance voucher.
U.S. VETS Housing Programs
U.S. VETS is a non-profit organization that provides emergency, transitional, and permanent housing for veterans. The Emergency Housing Program places veterans in safe shelters where they can focus on finding more permanent housing.
The Transitional Housing Program provides housing in supportive communities where veterans receive case management services. The Permanent Housing Program allows veterans with income to lease affordable housing on US VETS campuses where residents have easy access to a variety of support services.
Call: 877-548-7838
Volunteers Of America Transitional Housing Program For Veterans
Volunteers of America (VOA) provides resources to assist homeless veterans in securing stable and supportive housing. The Transitional Housing Program for Veterans is open to single men and women and couples (no children). Program details may vary depending on the state you live in. VOA provides affordable housing to veterans as well as operating emergency shelters.
Learn more: https://www.voa.org/
Salvation Army Shelters
The Salvation Army provides emergency shelter to those in need. Case managers also help veterans with criminal convictions find long-term housing, jobs, training, and support services.
All services are provided by local Salvation Army centers.
Relink Reentry Resources
Reentry organizations provide critical services to offenders returning to the community.
Re-entry programs range from residential placements to housing, job training, employment assistance, substance abuse recovery, and mental health support to smaller initiatives that may focus solely on employment or mentoring. are
Use the Relink database to find the incarceration reentry programs serving your area.
How Incarceration Affects Your VA Benefits
Disability: VA disability payments are reduced for veterans who have been convicted of a felony and served more than 60 days in prison.
Pensions: Can you lose your military retirement pay if convicted of a crime?
When you are sent to prison, federal regulations require you to notify the VA of your incarceration. Your VA pension payments will stop on your 61st day of incarceration. Payment will resume when released if you follow the correct procedure.
Timely notification will prevent any overpayment of benefits to which you are no longer entitled. Overpayments have to be repaid and can result in losing your pension until the overpayment debt is cleared. The VA will assume you will remain in prison until you notify them of your release. For the VA, release from prison includes:
- Being on parole
- Participating in a work release program
- Living in a halfway house
When you have a release date, notify the VA. The earliest notice you can provide is 30 days before your release. Use VA Form 21-4193 (available from your correctional counselor) or your parole papers to give the notification.
Next Steps
Contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838, or visit your nearest VA Medical Center to speak with a Veterans Justice Outreach Program specialist or on-site Homeless Coordinator.
