Benefits for Homeless Veterans

In general, homeless veterans may be eligible for a range of VA and State of Texas benefits just like any other veteran. For more on these benefits, visit VA Homeless.

Specifically, the VA offers a number of services for homeless veterans from housing assistance to mental health assistance. Listed below are just a few of these services.  Contact the VA Homeless Program in Fort Worth at 817-255-7150 for more information.  

VA Employment Opportunities for Homeless Veterans

Compensated Work Therapy (CWT)

The VA's CWT program is comprised of three unique programs, which assist homeless veterans in returning to competitive employment: Sheltered Workshop, Transitional Work Experience and Supported Employment. This therapeutic work program provides vocational retraining for homeless veterans, allowing them to prepare to re-enter the workforce while earning income. The Transitional Work Experience program places veterans at industrial locations and functions as a temporary employment service. Veterans in CWT are paid at least the federal or state minimum wage, whichever is the higher. The Transitional Residence program provides a home environment for veterans who are enrolled in the CWT program. For veterans in Fort Worth, contact the CWT Coordinator at 817-255-7123 or 817-255-7150. This program is currently available in Dallas and Bonham.

Homeless Veteran Supported Employment Program (HVSEP)

The VA's HVSEP provides vocational assistance, job development and placement and ongoing support to improve employment outcomes among homeless veterans and veterans at-risk of homelessness. Formerly homeless veterans who have been trained as Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists known as VRSs provide these services.

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) VetSuccess Program

The VA's VR&E VetSuccess Program assists veterans with service-connected disabilities to prepare for, find and keep suitable jobs. Services that may be provided include: comprehensive rehabilitation evaluation to determine abilities, skills and interests for employment; employment services; assistance finding and keeping a job; On-the-Job Training; apprenticeship; and non-paid work experiences. For information about possible employment services in their area, veterans can call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans hotline at 1-877-424-3838. For more information about this benefit, visit their website at Vocational Rehablitation and Employment (VR&E).

VA Housing Assistance for Homeless Veterans

Patriot House, Fort Worth

The Presbyterian Night Shelter, working in partnership with the VA, operates one of the most successful veterans' transitional housing programs in the United States to secure and retain employment for homeless veteran clients, move them into permanent housing, and eliminate or minimize barriers to continued self-sufficiency. Contact the Patriot House at 817-632-7400 or visit their website at Presbyterian Night Shelter.

Liberty House, Fort Worth

Liberty House is a transitional housing program that offers veterans the opportunity to live and work in a safe and drug-free environment while practicing their recovery skills. MHMR of Tarrant County manages the facility and has a staff of trained professionals who are experienced in helping people overcome the problems associated with mental illness and addictive behaviors. Contact the Liberty House at 817-569-4659 or visit their website at Liberty House, Fort Worth. 

Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program

The VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program provides grants and per diem payments as funding is available to help public and nonprofit organizations establish and operate supportive housing and service centers for homeless veterans. To learn more about the grant and per diem program, visit their website at VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem

HUD-VA Supportive Housing (VASH) Program

The VASH Program is a joint effort between the Department of Housing and Urban Development and VA. HUD allocated nearly 38,000 "Housing Choice" Section 8 vouchers across the country. These vouchers allow veterans and their families to live in market-rate rental units while VA provides case management services. A housing subsidy is paid to the landlord on behalf of the participating veteran. The veteran then pays the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount subsidized by the program. For more information, visit their website at HUD-VASH.

Acquired Property Sales for Homeless Providers Program

The VA's Acquired Property Sales for Homeless Providers Program makes all VA foreclosed properties available for sale to homeless provider organizations at a 20 to 50 percent discount to shelter homeless veterans.

Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program

The VA's SSVF Program provides grants and technical assistance to community-based, nonprofit organizations to help veterans and their families stay in their homes. For more information, visit their website at SSVF program

Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans (DCHV) Program

The VA's  DCHV Program has been providing medical services to disadvantaged veterans since the Civil War. Today's DCHV program uses modern, advanced medical techniques in a residential setting for 24/7 support that enables veterans to live independent, fulfilling and healthy lives. The VA North Texas Healthcare System has a comprehensive inpatient assessment, treatment and rehabilitation program specifically for homeless veterans. For more information, visit their website at Homeless Veterans. 

VA Healthcare for Homeless Veterans

The VA offers many health care programs for homeless veterans. Homeless veterans that need medical assistance should immediately contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838 to speak to a trained VA responder. The call is free and neither VA registration nor enrollment in VA healthcare is required to use the service. When the veteran calls, they will be connected to a trained VA responder. The responder will ask a few questions to assess your needs.

Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Program

The VA's HCHV Program offers outreach, exams, treatment, referrals and case management to veterans who are homeless and dealing with mental health issues -- including substance use. This program focuses on identifying homeless veterans who need to initiate services with the VA North Texas Health Care System. Health Care for Homeless Veterans is available in Dallas, Bonham and Fort Worth.

Homeless Patient Aligned Care Teams (H-PACTs) Program

The VA's H-PACTs Program provides a coordinated "medical home" specifically tailored to the needs of homeless veterans that integrates clinical care with delivery of social services with enhanced access and community coordination. Implementation of this model is expected to address many of the health disparity and equity issues facing this population and result in reduced emergency department use and hospitalizations, improved chronic disease management, improved "housing readiness" with fewer veterans returning to homelessness once housed. For more information, visit their website at VA's Homeless Patient Aligned Care Teams.

Homeless Veterans Dental Program

The VA's Homeless Veterans Dental Program provides dental treatment for eligible veterans in a number of programs: Domiciliary Residential Rehabilitation Treatment, VA Grant and Per Diem, Compensated Work Therapy/Transitional Residence, Healthcare for Homeless Veterans and Community Residential Care. VA is working to expand dental care to all eligible veterans within this program. For more information, visit their website at VA's Homeless Veterans Dental Program

Project CHALENG (Community Homelessness Assessment, Local Education and Networking Groups)

The VA's Project CHALENG  brings together providers, advocates and other concerned citizens to identify the needs of homeless veterans and work to meet those needs through planning and cooperative action. This process has helped build thousands of relationships between VA and community agencies so that together they can better serve homeless veterans. For more information, visit their website at Project CHALENG

VA Mental Health Services for Homeless Veterans

Veteran Justice Outreach Program

The Veteran Justice Outreach Program provides eligible, justice-involved veterans with timely access to VA's mental health and substance-use services when clinically indicated, and other VA services and benefits as appropriate. VA's Substance-Use Disorder Treatment Enhancement Initiative provides substance-use services in the community to aid homeless Veterans' recovery. For more information, go to Veteran Justice Outreach Program. In North Texas, call a Justice Outreach Specialist at 214-857-2252, 214-857-2260 or 903-583-6241.

Health Care for Re-Entry Veterans Program

The Health Care for Re-Entry Veterans Program helps incarcerated veterans successfully rejoin the community through support, including those addressing mental health and substance-use problems. For more information, visit Re-Entry Veterans Program

Readjustment Counseling Service's Vet Center Programs

The Readjustment Counseling Service's Vet Center Programs feature community-based locations and outreach activities that help to identify homeless veterans and match homeless veterans with necessary services. For more information, visit Vet Center Programs. In North Texas, call 817-274-0981, 817-921-9095 or 214-361-5896.

Other Resources

The National Coalition of Homeless Veterans has a guide called "Planning for Your Release, A Guide for Incarcerated Veterans" that also has helpful information/resources that can be used by homeless veterans as well. You can view their guide at Planning for Your Release.

The Department of Education's Office of Vocational and Adult Education's has a guide called Take Charge of Your Future that has a wealth of knowledge on educational resources for incarcerated individuals reintegrating into society.  To see a copy of the guide, go to Take Charge of Your Future.