HOUSINGVA program
Grant and Per Diem Program (GPD)
Funds community agencies to provide transitional housing and supportive services to homeless veterans, generally for up to 24 months (longer when permanent housing has not been found or the veteran needs more time), while veterans work toward permanent housing and self-sufficiency.
Available to homeless veterans through VA-funded community providers
Step-by-step guide
What you get
Transitional housing with supportive services, run by community organizations VA funds, to help you move into permanent housing.
Where to start: a VA referral to transitional housing
- Homeless nowGPD serves homeless veterans. The rule uses the federal McKinney-Vento definition, which includes sleeping outside or in a car, living in a shelter, and losing housing very soon.
- Military service, and the dischargeThe rule counts active service of any length, except a dishonorable discharge or a dismissal by general court-martial sentence. VA's quick guide says GPD reaches a wider group than VA health care and asks staff to refer every veteran.
- The program agreement and any feeA provider may charge a fee of no more than 30 percent of monthly income after medical, child care, and court-ordered payments. Any agreement must be fully explained to you and acknowledged in writing by both sides, must let you leave without penalty for medical or clinical need, and cannot be used to turn away veterans with little or no income.
Source: 38 CFR 61.1 (opens in new tab); VA Homeless Programs: frequently asked questions (opens in new tab); VA Homeless Programs: quick guide to programs and services (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 61.82 (opens in new tab)
Which kind of GPD help is this?
- Transitional housing
Community organizations with GPD grants run transitional housing with services such as case management, health care, job help, and help finding permanent housing. VA pays the provider per day for a homeless veteran VA referred or authorized.
Source: 38 CFR 61.1 (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 61.2 (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 61.33 (opens in new tab); VA Homeless Programs: Grant and Per Diem (opens in new tab); VA: Grant and Per Diem fact sheet (May 2026) (opens in new tab)
- Case management after you move
Some providers get GPD case management grants to help veterans keep permanent housing. This help runs up to 6 months unless VA approves more time. It is not used for veterans already getting case management from HUD-VASH or SSVF.
- Moving into permanent housing, or at riskThe case management grant serves veterans who were homeless and are moving into permanent housing, and veterans at risk of becoming homeless. The case manager makes home visits and refers you to services.
Source: 38 CFR 61.90 (opens in new tab); VA Homeless Programs: Grant and Per Diem (opens in new tab); VA: Grant and Per Diem fact sheet (May 2026) (opens in new tab)
What to gather, and what it shows VA
| Document | What it shows | How VA gets it | Have it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where you are staying now What you tell the VA counselor or VA homeless program staff about where you are staying and whether you have a safe place tonight. | That you are homeless now and need a place to stay | You share it when you call or chat with the National Call Center, or talk with VA homeless program staff, who can connect you to GPD. | |
| DD214 or other proof of veteran status Your DD214, a VA confirmation of your service, or an ID card that shows you are a veteran. | Veteran status, which the provider records in your file | If you need a DD214 copy, request it from the National Archives online or on Standard Form 180 (SF180). VA homeless program staff can help you get an ID or the documents you need. | Yes |
| Records of your monthly income Pay stubs or benefit letters showing what you receive each month. | Income, for setting any program fee | The provider uses it to set any fee, which cannot pass 30 percent of monthly income after certain payments are subtracted. | Yes |
| Participant agreement The written agreement between you and the provider that sets the program rules. | The rules and any fee | The provider must explain it and its conditions fully, and both of you acknowledge it in writing. | |
| Lease for your permanent home The lease for the permanent home you move into. | That you have moved into permanent housing | Keep a copy. A GPD case manager can make home visits to help you stay housed. | Yes |
Papers go to VA staff or the GPD provider when they ask. BeneVets does not ask for copies of them.
Steps, in order
- Call or chat with VA's homeless line
Call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838, open 24/7, free and confidential, or start an online chat. A trained VA counselor connects you with VA staff near you.
Source: VA.gov: National Call Center for Homeless Veterans (opens in new tab); VA Homeless Programs: what is interim housing (opens in new tab)
- If you are in crisis
If you are having thoughts of suicide or emotional distress, call or text 988, then press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line. Call 911 if you are in immediate danger.
Source: VA.gov: National Call Center for Homeless Veterans (opens in new tab)
- Or ask at a VA facility
Staff at some VA facilities may be able to help you find the right resources. VA encourages you to call or chat with the call center instead.
- Get referred to a GPD program
VA pays GPD providers for veterans VA refers or authorizes. Programs follow different models, such as bridge housing before a HUD-VASH or SSVF move, clinical treatment, low demand, hospital to housing, service-intensive, and transition in place.
Source: 38 CFR 61.33 (opens in new tab); VA: Grant and Per Diem fact sheet (May 2026) (opens in new tab)
- Read the program agreement
If the program uses a participant agreement, the provider must fully explain it and its conditions, and both of you acknowledge it in writing. The agreement must let you leave without penalty for medical or clinical need.
Source: 38 CFR 61.82 (opens in new tab)
- Work your service plan
The provider keeps an individual service plan with your needs, strengths, and the services and referrals planned, and helps you find permanent housing.
Source: 38 CFR 61.80 (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 61.2 (opens in new tab)
- Free help with a separate VA claim
GPD is not a VA claim, so there is nothing for a VSO to file for it. GPD supportive services can include help getting VA benefits and other assistance. If you also file a VA claim, such as for disability compensation, a VSO can help with that claim. Free help: an accredited VSO can file this with you. Find one near you in the BeneVets VSO directory at Find an accredited VSO near you.
Source: 38 CFR 61.2 (opens in new tab); VA.gov: accredited representatives (opens in new tab)
Good to know
Transitional housing aims to move you to permanent housing as soon as possible. The rule sets a 24-month limit, but a veteran may stay longer when permanent housing has not been found or more time is needed to prepare for living independently. No more than half the veterans in a program may have stayed past 24 months at any one time.
Source: 38 CFR 61.80 (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 61.1 (opens in new tab)
GPD grants serve groups such as women veterans, veterans with chronic mental illness, frail elderly veterans, veterans caring for minor children, and terminally ill veterans. VA reports over 60 GPD projects with over 450 beds for minor dependents.
Source: VA: Grant and Per Diem fact sheet (May 2026) (opens in new tab); VA Homeless Programs: help for veteran families (opens in new tab)
The fastest way to reach GPD is the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans, 877-424-3838, free and confidential, with online chat too.
Source: VA Homeless Programs: what is interim housing (opens in new tab); VA.gov: National Call Center for Homeless Veterans (opens in new tab)
BeneVets is informational and is not an accredited representative. Free help: an accredited VSO can work through VA benefits with you at no cost. Find an accredited VSO near you
Sources checked October 7, 2026: 38 CFR 61.1 (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 61.2 (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 61.33 (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 61.80 (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 61.82 (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 61.90 (opens in new tab), VA Homeless Programs: Grant and Per Diem (opens in new tab), VA: Grant and Per Diem fact sheet (May 2026) (opens in new tab), VA Homeless Programs: what is interim housing (opens in new tab), VA Homeless Programs: help for veteran families (opens in new tab), VA Homeless Programs: frequently asked questions (opens in new tab), VA Homeless Programs: quick guide to programs and services (opens in new tab), VA.gov: homeless help (opens in new tab), VA.gov: National Call Center for Homeless Veterans (opens in new tab), VA.gov: request your military service records (opens in new tab), Standard Form 180 (SF180) (opens in new tab), VA.gov: accredited representatives (opens in new tab)