by L.E. Duncan

Created on: April 19, 2009   Last Updated: June 29, 2009

The Veteran's Administration estimates there are approximately 154,000 veterans homeless on any given night, about one-third of all adult homeless people in America. The VA has an aggressive outreach program targeting these homeless veterans and includes many special programs available to help.

Compensated Work Therapy/Transitional Residence (CWT/TR) is a program for at-risk, homeless veterans, making community-based housing available while being employed in the Compensated Work Therapy Program, also known as Veterans Industries. The VA creates contracts with private industries and the public sector that creates the work these veterans perform, during which they learn new skill sets, rebuilding good work ethics and self esteem. Veterans work just over 30 hours a week, earning about $732 per month. In the CWT/TR program, participating veterans pay approximately $185 per month toward the upkeep of the residence in which they are living. It is a supervised, community home with an average stay of about six months.

The Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans (DCHV) program provides residential treatment and rehabilitation to homeless veterans. These domiciliaries conduct outreach, vocational assistance, and post-discharge community support.

The HUD-VASH program is a joint endeavor by the Housing of Urban Development and the VA. HUD's voucher program has designated more than ten-thousand vouchers throughout the country for homeless veterans. These vouchers are "portable" so the veteran can move to or live in a community with the support they need, such as a VA hospital.

The Supported Housing Program provides ongoing support and case management for homeless veterans. The VA does not have HUD vouchers in this program but are very successful in finding affordable, permanent housing in local communities for the homeless and reestablishing veterans by collaborating with local agencies and Veteran Service Organizations (VSO).

The Community Homelessness Assessment, Local Education, and Networking Groups (CHALENG) is a program where a VA medical center and VA regional office directors collaborate with state and other local agencies to assess the needs of homeless veterans and develop action plans to meet those needs.

Stand Downs are a one to three day event that brings several government and community agencies together to provide services and give counseling to homeless veterans. Health screenings, food, shelter and clothes are some of the services provided. Veterans

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