San Francisco, CA (Photo: Neerav Bhatt)

In a move to support aging Veterans and combat homelessness, California launched the Veterans Support to Self-Reliance Pilot Program last year. Targeting Veterans aged 55 and above, the program enhances on-site supportive services at permanent supportive housing projects across the state. With a focus on housing first, the program allows aging Veterans experiencing chronic homelessness to age in place while maintaining a stable and thriving quality of life.

The California Department of Veterans Affairs, CalVet, has allocated up to $20 million in grants, known as pilot grants, to fund supportive services for Veteran seniors aged 55 and above. This funding includes support for Veterans with high acuity and those assisted through the Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing, HUD-VASH, program. The three-year observational and reporting period for pilot grantees will assess the program’s effectiveness in aiding high-needs, formerly homeless Veterans.

Over 200 Veterans from across the state are currently enrolled in the VSSR program. Veterans who once faced struggles with addiction, poverty, or mental health issues credit the stability provided by peer mentorship and coordinated care for helping them navigate the challenges of aging, such as increased risk of heart disease, diabetes or lost vision. The success of this pilot could significantly influence the approach of homeless service providers toward housing older individuals: critical, considering that nearly 30% of unhoused individuals identified in the 2023 Point-in-Time count were 55 or older.

Despite a 7.4% increase in Veteran homelessness last year, California has seen a 17.8% reduction over the past decade. Supportive Services for Veteran Families and HUD-VA Supportive Housing played a role by placing 46,500 Veterans in permanent housing in 2023.

While retention rates in the first year of permanent supportive housing are generally high, as many as 25% of Veterans may lose their homes again, particularly those with complex health needs. The VSSR program, administered by CalVet, has awarded $20 million in grants to four organizations, including Swords to Plowshares and U.S. Vets, to improve existing housing sites with mental health specialists, occupational therapists, and additional support staff.

California, home to the largest number of Homeless Veterans, 11,400 people, faces a situation where almost a third of the nation’s homeless Veteran population resides. Aging Veterans, often dealing with post-traumatic stress and chronic pain, require specialized care to address a range of health issues. With the VSSR program, the state hopes to provide intensive support, including transportation specialists and geriatric social workers, to enhance the well-being of aging Veterans.

The concept of permanent supportive housing with extra support is not entirely new, exemplified by the Colma Veterans Village near San Francisco. The 65-unit village, a collaboration between HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing and VA’s Office of Geriatrics and Extended Care, offers on-site nursing, art therapy, social work, employment programs, and financial assistance.

U.S. Vets and Swords to Plowshares plan to enroll 100 and 125 Veterans, respectively. However, the voluntary nature of the pilot may result in a gradual trust-building process before the most vulnerable Veterans fully engage with the program.

The VSSR program is a significant step in addressing the challenges faced by aging Veterans experiencing homelessness, ensuring they can age in place with dignity and improved well-being. As the pilot progresses, its success may pave the way for broader changes in homeless services nationwide.

Author: Rikki Almanza

Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted connection to the military, a spouse who is a Navy veteran, a father who served in the Air Force for 25 years, and a grandfather who proudly served, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.