Securing safe and affordable housing is a challenge many felons encounter upon release from prison.
Without access to a support network after incarceration, veterans often end up living on the streets or couch surfing.
The Department of Veterans Affairs is working hard to end all veteran homelessness. The VA helps find housing for veterans with felonies through several of their programs.
In 2023 the VA placed more than 46,000 homeless veterans in permanent housing.
Besides the VA, charities and nonprofit organizations are other sources of support, offering help for veterans with felonies, who need help to find housing.
VA Programs Providing Housing For Veterans With Felonies
Your local VA is the first place you should contact to find out about your housing options. The VA has several housing programs open to justice-involved veterans.
VA Homeless Program
The Veterans Justice Outreach Program (VJO) works with the VA Homeless Programs Office to help veterans access housing, employment, and support.
Every VA Medical Center has a VJO specialist on-site you can speak to, or you can call 877-424-3838 to get help with your emergency and long-term housing needs.
Find your nearest VA Medical Center here: https://www.va.gov/directory/guide/home.asp
VA Health Care For Reentry Veterans Program.
If you haven’t been released from prison yet, reach out to the Health Care for Reentry Veterans Program (HCRV).
A key component of this VA program is helping incarcerated veterans make plans for release and avoid homelessness.
For more information visit: https://www.va.gov/homeless/reentry.asp
HUD-VASH Housing Program
The HUD VA Supportive Housing Program is available to veterans and their families who are homeless or at risk of being homeless.
The housing program pairs housing vouchers with VA case management services to equip veterans for long-term housing success.
Funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), VASH vouchers allow veterans to rent housing from private landlords. Tenants only pay a portion of their income towards the rent, HUD covers the rest.
To benefit from this housing program, visit your nearest VA Medical Center, and speak to the homeless coordinator.
Alternatively, call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838 and ask about the HUD-VASH program.
Once you’ve been assessed for eligibility, the VA will coordinate with your local housing authority to secure your rent assistance voucher.
Related Article to Read: What Felonies Disqualify You From Section 8?
U.S. VETS Housing Programs
U.S. VETS is a nonprofit organization providing emergency, transitional, and permanent housing for veterans.
The emergency housing program places veterans in safe shelters where they can focus on securing more permanent housing.
The transitional housing program provides accommodation in supportive communities where veterans receive case management services.
The permanent housing program allows veterans with an income to lease affordable housing on a U.S. VETS campus where residents have easy access to a variety of support services.
Call: 877-548-7838
Volunteers Of America Transitional Housing Program For Veterans
Volunteers of America (VOA) provides resources to help homeless veterans secure stable and supportive housing.
The transitional housing program for veterans is open to single men and women and to couples (no children). The details of the program may vary depending on the state you live in.
VOA also provides affordable housing to veterans as well as operating emergency shelters.
Learn more: https://www.voa.org/
Salvation Army Shelters
The Salvation Army provides emergency shelter to anyone in need. Case managers also help veterans with felonies find long-term housing, jobs, training, and support services.
All services are provided through local Salvation Army centers.
Relink Reentry Resources
Reentry organizations provide vital services to felons returning to the community.
Reentry programs range from residential placements offering housing, job training, employment assistance, substance abuse recovery, and mental health support, to smaller initiatives that may only focus on employment or mentoring.
Use the Relink database to find the incarceration reentry programs serving your area.
How Incarceration Affects Your VA Benefits
Disability: VA disability payments are reduced for veterans convicted of a felony and imprisoned for more than 60 days.
Pension: Can you lose your military retirement pay if convicted of a felony?
When you’re sent to prison, Federal regulations require you to notify the VA about your incarceration.
Your VA pension payments will stop on the 61st day of your incarceration. Payments will resume upon release if you follow the correct procedure.
Timely notification will prevent any overpayment of benefits you are no longer entitled to. Overpayments have to be paid back and can result in the loss of your pension until the overpayment debt is cleared.
The VA will assume you remain in prison until you inform them of your release. For the VA, being released from prison includes:
- Being on parole
- Participating in a work release program
- Living in a halfway house
When you have a release date, notify the VA. The earliest you can provide notification is 30 days before your release.
Use VA Form 21-4193 (available from your correctional counselor) or your parole papers to make the notification.
Next Steps
Contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838, or drop into your nearest VA Medical Center and speak to the Veterans Justice Outreach Program specialist or on-site homeless coordinator.
Charles Greg is the Co-Founder, Author, & Head Developer behind RentingtoFelons.org
With a lifelong passion for humanity.