HOUSINGVA program
HUD-VASH Housing Vouchers
Combines HUD Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance with VA case management services to help homeless veterans find and maintain permanent housing in the private rental market.
Available to homeless veterans; the rules reach wider than VA health care, often at least 1 day of active duty and a discharge other than dishonorable
Step-by-step guide
What you get
A HUD Housing Choice Voucher that helps pay rent on a private home or apartment, paired with a VA case manager who helps you find housing and keep it.
Where to start: contact VA homeless programs
- Homeless nowVA built HUD-VASH for veterans experiencing homelessness. VA counts living in a car, park, or other place not meant for sleeping, staying in a shelter or a motel used as temporary housing, and fleeing violence at home.
- Military service, and the dischargeVA's quick guide says HUD-VASH reaches a wider group than VA health care, often veterans with at least 1 day of active duty and a discharge other than dishonorable. The details are complex, so VA asks staff to refer every veteran.
- A need for ongoing case managementVA says HUD-VASH is tailored for veterans who need ongoing, intensive case management because of more complex challenges, such as chronic health conditions, that make finding and keeping housing harder.
Source: VA Homeless Programs: HUD-VASH (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 Homeless Programs: what is HUD-VASH (opens in new tab)
Which part of HUD-VASH are you in?
- Get connected through VA
The front door is the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans or VA homeless program staff. A trained VA counselor asks about your situation and connects you to VA staff near you. You do not need to know which program fits; VA staff work that out with you.
Source: VA.gov: homeless help (opens in new tab); VA.gov: National Call Center for Homeless Veterans (opens in new tab); VA Homeless Programs: HUD-VASH (opens in new tab); VA Homeless Programs: quick guide to programs and services (opens in new tab)
- The voucher and the housing agency
Public housing agencies run HUD-VASH vouchers locally. The voucher pays part of the rent on a privately owned home or apartment when the landlord accepts the voucher, the unit meets HUD requirements, and the rent fits local program guidelines.
- Household income within the agency limitHUD-VASH income limits are based on the area median income. An August 2024 HUD change requires housing agencies to set the starting income limit for veteran households at 80 percent of area median income, and to leave out service-connected disability benefits when they check income against the limit.
- A home that passes inspectionThe landlord must accept the voucher. The housing agency inspects the unit and works out the rent with the landlord before the lease is signed.
- Paying your share of the rentYou pay part of the rent based on your income, generally 30 to 40 percent of monthly adjusted income for rent and utilities, and the agency pays the landlord the rest. With no income, the agency generally pays the full rent. You recertify with the agency every year.
Source: VA Homeless Programs: HUD-VASH (opens in new tab); VA Homeless Programs: the HUD-VASH income policy change (opens in new tab); VA Homeless Programs: landlord questions (opens in new tab)
- VA case management: keeping the home
After you move in, a trained VA case manager stays with you. That means connections to primary care, mental health care, and substance use treatment, help with budgeting for rent and understanding the lease, and support that continues as long as you need it.
- Working with your case managerHUD-VASH pairs the voucher with case management, and every participant is paired with a case manager. In some communities, a local provider that VA approves gives the case management instead of VA.
- Keeping the leaseA lease is commonly signed for 12 months. Your case manager helps with paying rent on time, following the lease, and keeping a good relationship with the landlord, and helps the landlord sort out problems too.
Source: VA Homeless Programs: HUD-VASH (opens in new tab); VA Homeless Programs: what is HUD-VASH (opens in new tab); VA Homeless Programs: landlord questions (opens in new tab); VA Homeless Programs: HUD-VASH collaborative case management (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 about where you are staying, whether you have a safe place tonight, and whether you may lose your housing. | Your housing situation now | You share it when you call or chat with the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans, or talk with VA homeless program staff. There is nothing to write down first. | |
| What makes housing hard to keep What you tell VA staff about health, mental health, substance use, work, or other challenges that make finding or keeping housing harder. | The kind of ongoing support you need | A VA counselor or VA homeless program staff ask about urgent health or safety needs when you contact them. You tell them; nothing goes to BeneVets. | |
| DD214 or other discharge papers Your discharge document, which shows your service and character of discharge. | Your military service and discharge | If you do not have a copy, VA homeless program staff can help you get the documents you need. You can also request it from the National Archives online or on Standard Form 180 (SF180). | Yes |
| A photo ID or Veteran ID card A photo ID, or a VA card such as the Veteran Health Identification Card you get when enrolled in VA health care. | Who you are, and that you are a veteran | If your ID is lost, VA homeless program staff can help you get an ID. VA.gov lists the kinds of Veteran ID cards and how to get each. | Yes |
| Proof of household income Recent pay stubs, benefit letters, or other records of what your household receives each month. | Income for the agency limit and your share of the rent | Copies go to the public housing agency when it asks, at the start and at each yearly recertification. | Yes |
| VA benefit letter A VA letter that lists your VA payments, such as the benefit summary letter or proof of VA income. | Which income is service-connected disability pay, which the agency leaves out when it checks income against the limit | Download it on VA.gov. It goes to the housing agency when it asks, not to BeneVets. | Yes |
| Request for tenancy approval The housing agency form for the unit you pick, which the landlord completes and turns in to the agency. | The home you chose, so the agency can inspect it and set the rent | You or your case manager give it to the landlord. The agency then schedules the inspection. | |
| Your lease The lease you sign with the landlord after the unit passes inspection, commonly for 12 months. | Your right to stay in the home, and the rent | You sign it with the landlord after the housing agency approves the unit. Keep a copy to go over with your case manager. | Yes |
| Yearly recertification papers The papers the housing agency asks for each year to update your income. | Your current income, so your share of the rent stays right | The housing agency asks for them each year. They go to the agency. |
Papers go to VA homeless program staff or the public housing agency 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 asks a few questions and connects you with VA staff near you.
Source: VA.gov: National Call Center for Homeless Veterans (opens in new tab); VA.gov: homeless help (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.
- Ask about HUD-VASH
Tell VA staff where you are staying and what help you need, and ask about long-term housing. VA staff work out with you which program fits, such as HUD-VASH or SSVF.
Source: VA.gov: homeless help (opens in new tab); VA Homeless Programs: HUD-VASH (opens in new tab)
- Gather your ID and papers
Collect a photo ID, your DD214 or other discharge papers, and records of your income. If papers are lost, VA homeless program staff can help you get an ID or the documents you need.
Source: VA.gov: homeless help (opens in new tab); VA.gov: request your military service records (opens in new tab); VA.gov: types of Veteran ID cards (opens in new tab)
- Work with the public housing agency
The public housing agency issues the voucher. It checks your household income against its limit, and it leaves out service-connected disability benefits for that check.
Source: VA Homeless Programs: the HUD-VASH income policy change (opens in new tab); VA Homeless Programs: landlord questions (opens in new tab)
- Look for a home
With the voucher, you can choose a private rental whose landlord accepts vouchers. Your VA case manager can help you understand your options and with the search.
- Watch for housing scams
VA warns that scammers often target homeless veterans during the housing search, especially those getting financial help. VA explains how these scams work and where to turn for trusted support.
Source: VA Homeless Programs: housing scams (opens in new tab)
- Get the unit approved
When you pick a unit, you or your case manager give the landlord the request for tenancy approval. The housing agency inspects the unit, and it must pass before a lease is signed.
Source: VA Homeless Programs: landlord questions (opens in new tab)
- Sign the lease and move in
After the unit passes, you sign the lease with the landlord, commonly for 12 months. You pay your share of the rent, and the agency pays the rest to the landlord.
Source: VA Homeless Programs: landlord questions (opens in new tab)
- Keep working with your VA case manager
Your case manager connects you to primary care, mental health care, and substance use treatment, and helps with budgeting, the lease, and the landlord. The support continues as long as you need it.
Source: VA Homeless Programs: HUD-VASH (opens in new tab); VA Homeless Programs: what is HUD-VASH (opens in new tab)
- Recertify every year
You recertify with the housing agency every year. When your income changes, your share of the rent changes too.
Source: VA Homeless Programs: landlord questions (opens in new tab)
- Free help with a separate VA claim
HUD-VASH is not a VA claim, so there is nothing for a VSO to file for it. VA homeless programs also help you reach other VA benefits. 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: VA.gov: accredited representatives (opens in new tab); VA Homeless Programs: services for homeless and at risk veterans (opens in new tab)
Good to know
The National Call Center for Homeless Veterans, 877-424-3838, is free and confidential, with online chat too. Veterans, family members, friends, and community providers can call. Family and friends do not need to know the veteran's military details first.
Source: VA.gov: National Call Center for Homeless Veterans (opens in new tab); VA.gov: homeless help (opens in new tab); VA Homeless Programs: National Call Center for Homeless Veterans (opens in new tab)
A partnership of HUD and VA: a HUD Housing Choice Voucher that helps pay rent, plus VA case management and supportive services. It runs in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
When there is a veteran VA can serve in the household, VA homeless programs can serve the whole household, including minor children. HUD-VASH can serve households with minor dependents.
Source: VA Homeless Programs: help for veteran families (opens in new tab)
Tribal HUD-VASH gives rental help and supportive services to American Indian and Alaska Native veterans living on or off tribal lands, through tribes and tribally designated housing entities.
VA staff can point you to SSVF, Grant and Per Diem transitional housing, emergency shelter, or other VA programs. When a veteran is outside VA homeless programs, VA homeless program staff may be able to refer them to community resources.
Source: VA.gov: homeless help (opens in new tab); VA Homeless Programs: quick guide to programs and services (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: VA.gov: homeless help (opens in new tab), VA.gov: National Call Center for Homeless Veterans (opens in new tab), VA.gov: types of Veteran ID cards (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: download VA benefit letters (opens in new tab), VA.gov: accredited representatives (opens in new tab), VA Homeless Programs: HUD-VASH (opens in new tab), VA Homeless Programs: what is HUD-VASH (opens in new tab), VA Homeless Programs: the HUD-VASH income policy change (opens in new tab), VA Homeless Programs: HUD-VASH collaborative case management (opens in new tab), VA Homeless Programs: landlord questions (opens in new tab), VA Homeless Programs: National Call Center for Homeless Veterans (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 Homeless Programs: services for homeless and at risk veterans (opens in new tab), VA Homeless Programs: help for veteran families (opens in new tab), VA Homeless Programs: housing scams (opens in new tab)