Veterans Homelessness Prevention Demonstration

Overview

To address homelessness among veterans, particularly those re-entering civilian society after serving in Afghanistan and Iraq, Congress directed the Departments of Housing and Urban Development, Veterans Affairs, and Labor to create the Veterans Homelessness Prevention Demonstration (VHPD). The VHPD Evaluation is a study of the implementation and impacts of the VHPD. Through its focus on both homelessness prevention and veterans, the evaluation makes an important contribution to research. Existing studies of homelessness prevention do not illuminate the special character of programs needed to reach veterans effectively, while studies of homelessness among veterans have not yet investigated prevention and rapid rehousing interventions. In addition, the evaluation investigates particular challenges facing the new generation of veterans, a group that differs from previous generations in many ways, including an increasing number of women, parents, and members of the National Guard. The evaluation will document effective ways to reach and assist veterans at risk of homelessness, determine the effectiveness of VHPD services, and identify barriers to serving veterans at-risk of homelessness or experiencing short-term homelessness.

This evaluation interim report describes VHPD implementation and the characteristics of clients served during the program’s first year. Understanding program outcomes is the task of the final report, which will analyze client follow-up data that are currently being collected through surveys and from administrative sources. The final evaluation report will provide data on outcomes and offer evidence in relation to two key policy questions: (1) Can homelessness prevention be feasible and effective? (2) Are specially adapted programs needed to adequately address veterans’ needs for homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing services?

To learn more about the study please contact Elizabeth Rudd (Elizabeth.C.Rudd@hud.gov) in HUD's Office of Policy Development & Research, Program Evaluation Division.

Interim Report

This interim evaluation report describes the first year of the Veterans Homelessness Prevention Demonstration (VHPD). Funded in FY2009, the VHPD is a joint effort of the U.S. Departments of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Veterans Affairs (VA), and Labor (DOL) to provide homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing to veterans, especially those returning from conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. The VHPD has five sites, with each associated with a military base and a Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC). The sites are in Utica, NY; Tampa Bay, FL; Tacoma, WA; San Diego, CA; and Austin, Texas. It is the first attempt to investigate homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing services for veterans and their families.

Prevention and rapid rehousing are necessary components in any plan to end homelessness. Veterans are at greater risk of homelessness than comparable non-veterans, with veterans of recent conflicts possibly at higher risk than veterans of earlier conflicts. Further, compared to earlier generations of veterans, service members returning from post­-9/11 conflicts include more women, parents, and members of the National Guard and Reserve units. Because of this, Congress intended that the VHPD evaluation investigate ways to reach and serve veterans at risk of homelessness among these subgroups.

Download the Interim Report