Transitional Resources

Resources for Veterans Experiencing Homelessness,

Incarceration, and in Transition

Timothy Pena has been working with veterans' outreach programs since April 2016 at a VA GPD transitional program in Phoenix. He is currently developing a resource guide for veterans experiencing homelessness with resources and necessities for those living on the street, in their cars, with family and friends, or in shelters. Nearly half of all incarcerated veterans experienced homelessness just prior to or at the time of arrest. 


The Forgotten Veteran focuses on establishing contact with at-risk veterans to address specific needs before mental illness and drug/alcohol abuse take over. Veterans on the streets and in shelters have limited access to a resources, a nutritious diet, and proper sleep. In an all-app world, most homeless veterans have no access to reliable phone service.

VETERANS RESOURCE GUIDE


It is hard to imagine all the moving parts to transitioning from one place to another (a new city), one situation to another (divorce), or from one completely different life to another (transition from the military or prison to civilian world).


Unlike other guides, the Veterans Resource Guide is specifically designed for the veteran transitioning from one life situation to another especially those transitioning from prison or homelessness and back into the community. But, like other guides, this resource guide covers both VA and non-VA sections. Please feel free to offer comments, suggestions, or ask questions.

Documentation & Identification Resources


While documentation is not needed to apply for various benefits and access to resources, the veteran will eventually be asked to verify the information they give these agencies, so the quicker the veteran provides necessary documents, the faster their eligibility will be determined. It is imperative for the veteran to meet with the case worker to obtain a Shelter Residency Letter which will ease some of the governmental red tape.

Veterans Affairs and Veteran Service Officers


Veterans Affairs is a Cabinet-level executive branch department of the federal government charged with providing lifelong healthcare services to eligible military veterans at the 170 VA medical centers and outpatient clinics located throughout the country. Non-healthcare benefits include disability compensation, vocational rehabilitation, education assistance, home loans, and life insurance. The VA also provides burial and memorial benefits to eligible veterans and family members at 135 national cemeteries.

Mental Health and Wellness


A mental health condition isn’t the result of one event. Research suggests multiple, linking causes. Genetics, environment and lifestyle influence whether someone develops a mental health condition. A stressful job or home life makes some people more susceptible, as do traumatic life events.

  • 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year
  • 1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year
  • 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24
  • 1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year

Filing a VA Claim for Disability


VA disability compensation (pay) offers a monthly tax-free payment to Veterans who got sick or injured while serving in the military and to Veterans whose service made an existing condition worse. You may qualify for VA disability benefits for physical conditions (like a chronic illness or injury) and mental health conditions (like PTSD) that developed before, during, or after service. Find out how to apply for and manage the Veterans disability benefits you’ve earned.


A veteran may be eligible for VA disability benefits or compensation if they meet both of these requirements. Both of these must be true:

  • They have a current illness or injury (known as a condition) that affects your mind or body, and
  • They served on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training

Transitional & Homeless Services for Veterans

No Veteran should be without a place to call home. VA is committed to ending homelessness among Veterans. Our focus is threefold:

  • Conducting coordinated outreach to proactively seek out Veterans in need of assistance.
  • Connecting homeless and at-risk Veterans with housing solutions, health care, community employment services and other required supports.
  • Collaborating with federal, state and local agencies; employers; housing providers, faith-based and community nonprofits; and others to expand employment and affordable housing options for Veterans exiting homelessness.

Veterans Housing Programs

Housing is considered affordable if it costs about one-third or less of what the people living there get in income. In addition to HUD / VASH program, local principalities also provide a wide range of housing opportunities depending on:

  • Age
  • Nature of disability
  • Income / financial stability
  • Mental health challenges
  • Drug / alcohol dependency

The VA Vocational Readiness & Employment Program


The Veterans Affairs Vocational Readiness &Employment Program operates under the mandate that for those Veterans who are unable to gain or secure employment due to their service- connected disabilities, the Nation they protected has a responsibility to help them build a new career.


You may receive Vocational Readiness and Employment (formerly Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment) services to help with job training, employment accommodations, resume development, and job seeking skills coaching. Other services may be provided to assist Veterans and Servicemembers in starting their own businesses or independent living services for those who are severely disabled and unable to work in traditional employment.


Specialized counselors work with entitled and enrolled Veterans to design individualized service plans under five tracks of service. Veterans are provided training and services needed to help them achieve their goals.

Veterans Legal and Judicial Resources / Criminal


Criminal: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) Program is a preventionfocused component of VA’s Homeless Programs Office (HPO), whose mission is to end homelessness among Veterans. Since the program was founded in 2009, VJO Specialists at every VA medical center have provided outreach to justice-involved Veterans in various settings, including jails and courts.

Veterans Legal and Judicial Resources / Civil


For help filing a claim or appeal, the veteran may want to work with an accredited attorney, a claims agent, or a Veterans Service Officer. These professionals are trained and certified in the VA claims and appeals processes and with other VA-related needs.

Additionally, there are numerous agencies and organizations that assist veterans with housing agreements, wills, insurance, and more.
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