The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $1.17 billion in new grants this month to fight veteran homelessness. The money goes to 680 community organizations that house and support veterans across the country, split between two programs: Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) and Grant and Per Diem (GPD). VA reported housing 51,936 homeless veterans in fiscal year 2025. Here’s what the grants fund, who gets the money, and what it means if you’re a veteran working toward stable housing of your own.
What the $1.17 Billion Pays For
Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) — $855 million. These are one-year grants starting October 1, 2026. SSVF pays for outreach, case management, and short-term financial help so veterans and their families avoid losing housing, or get rehoused fast if they’ve already lost it.
Grant and Per Diem (GPD) — $318 million. These are three-year grants, also starting October 1, 2026. GPD pays for transitional housing beds and support services run by community and faith-based organizations, giving veterans a stable place to live while they work toward permanent housing.
680 Organizations, One Fiscal Year
680 community organizations across the country received grants for fiscal year 2027. That’s the infrastructure behind numbers like the 51,936 homeless veterans VA reported housing in fiscal year 2025 — local nonprofits and shelters doing the on-the-ground work, funded through these two programs.
What VA Leadership Said
“VA is making historic progress getting our most vulnerable Veterans off the streets and back on the path to self-sufficiency.”
— Doug Collins, VA Secretary, in VA’s official announcement
Read VA’s full announcement, including the complete funding breakdown, on VA’s official press release.
If You’re a Veteran With Steady Income, This Affects You Too
Most of this $1.17 billion goes to veterans in crisis. But there’s a second story here worth knowing: a lot of veterans who already have steady income and are ready to buy a home don’t realize how much room the VA loan program actually gives them. There’s no down payment required. And VA sets no minimum credit score — that 620 or 640 number you’ve heard about is something individual lenders add on top, not a VA rule. If your credit file has some rough spots, a real underwriter reads the whole file instead of letting a computer score make the call.
Steady job, steady income, but not sure your credit fits the mold? Start your VA loan application and find out where you actually stand.
No SSN required. Takes about 2 minutes.
Two Myths That Keep Veterans From Applying
Myth: “You need a 620 credit score for a VA loan.”
Reality: VA sets no minimum credit score at all. A 620 or 640 floor is a lender overlay, not a VA requirement.
Myth: “One late payment kills your file for a year.”
Reality: VA doesn’t set a blanket 12-month waiting period. What matters is whether it was an isolated incident or an extenuating circumstance, and whether you’ve re-established a solid payment history since.
Where to Get Help Right Now
If you or someone you know is a veteran who is homeless or at risk of it, call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans anytime at 877-424-3838. It’s free, confidential, and staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If it’s an immediate crisis, the Veterans Crisis Line is separate and also available 24/7: call 988 and select 1, or text 838255.
Beyond the hotlines, VA runs several programs that cover different needs:
- HUD-VASH — permanent supportive housing paired with ongoing VA case management.
- Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) — outreach and treatment for veterans living on the street or in shelters.
- Homeless Veteran Community Employment Services (HVCES) — job prep, training, and placement help.
- Veterans Justice Programs (VJP) — outreach and case management for justice-involved veterans.
- Legal Services for Veterans (LSV) — free legal help for veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
- Stand Down Events — local one- to three-day service fairs with food, clothing, health screenings, and referrals.
VA’s full directory of homeless programs is at department.va.gov/homeless, and a plain-language version for veterans and families is at va.gov/resources/homeless-help.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did VA award to fight veteran homelessness in 2026?
VA awarded $1.17 billion in new grants in September 2026. The money splits into $855 million through the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program and $318 million through the Grant and Per Diem (GPD) program.
What’s the difference between SSVF and GPD grants?
SSVF funds outreach, case management, and short-term financial help so veterans and their families avoid losing housing or get rehoused quickly. GPD funds transitional housing beds and support services at community organizations, giving veterans a stable place to live while they work toward permanent housing.
How many organizations and veterans does this funding reach?
680 community organizations across the country received grants for fiscal year 2027. SSVF grants run one year starting October 1, 2026. GPD grants run three years starting the same date. VA reported housing 51,936 homeless veterans in fiscal year 2025.
Do these homelessness grants have anything to do with getting a VA home loan?
No. SSVF and GPD are homeless assistance programs, not home loan programs. If you’re a veteran with steady income who’s ready to buy a home, the VA loan program is a separate benefit: no down payment required and no minimum credit score set by VA.
Where can a veteran who is homeless or at risk of homelessness get help right now?
Call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans anytime at 877-424-3838. It’s free, confidential, and staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. VA also runs housing, health care, employment, legal, and outreach programs for homeless veterans, listed at department.va.gov/homeless.
What if a veteran needs immediate crisis support, not just housing help?
The Veterans Crisis Line is separate from the homeless hotline and available 24/7: call 988 and select 1, or text 838255.
Written by J.D. Peck, Area Manager and Mortgage Loan Originator, NMLS #314883, The JD.Mortgage Team at Paramount Residential Mortgage Group, Inc. (NMLS #75243). Lending in 49 states. New York excluded. Last updated September 17, 2026.