VA CT Homeless Services

Overview of homelessness in the CT Veteran population

There are about 360,000 Veterans living in Connecticut, of which 52,000 receive services through the VA CT Healthcare System (VA CT).  On any given day across the State, as many as 640 Veterans are homeless; reside in shelters, or in dismal living conditions or in overcrowded or substandard housing. These Veterans suffer from mental illness, substance disorders, or economic hardship. Many Veterans and their families are facing eviction and foreclosure resulting in further vulnerability to being homeless.

The Veteran population is changing and includes increasing numbers of Veterans released from incarceration, female Veterans, and Veteran with dependents. Similar to the general population of homeless adult males, about 48% of homeless Veterans suffer from mental illness and slightly more than 70% suffer from alcohol or other substance abuse problems. 

Healthcare for Homeless Veterans

VA Connecticut’s Healthcare for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Program encompasses an array of services for Veterans who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or economically challenged. These services include treatment, vocational supports, emergency housing, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing.

The hallmark of these services is homelesscase management that allows the Homeless Team to support  Veterans to meet not only their immediate housing needs, but also to pursue long term stability while living in the community.

I. Outreach/education:

Outreach and engagement activities are carried out by VA Homeless Program in collaboration with dozens of community providers including local homeless outreach teams and through visits to local shelters and soup kitchens in cities and towns across Connecticut.  

The Homeless Team participates in the annual Stand-Down at the State’s Veteran Home at Rocky Hill, local Project Homeless Connect in held in numerous communities and the annual Point in Time Count, as well as in numerous Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness and Continuum of Care committees.

Drop in Clinics and Homeless Call Center Phone lines:

Daily homeless Veteran drop in clinics are held at the VA-CT Errera Community Center in West Haven and at the Homeless Team office at the VA Newington campus.

Outreach staff provide basic need items to the Veteran if referred by a clinician. Basic needs include underwear and socks, hygiene items, and food vouchers and other items depending of need.  In the winter, winter coats, hats and gloves are available.

Other outreach clinics are held on a regular basis in the community including the Homeless Hospitality Center in New London, Norwich Soup kitchen, the South Park Inn in Hartford, and Shelter for the Homeless in Stamford...

Veteran Homeless Clinic Phone Line: 

The Homeless Program maintains a clinic phone line (203-710-6529) from 8AM to 4:30PM each day for referrals of homeless Veterans to the VA CT.

National Homeless Call Center:

The National Homeless Hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days per week by the VA. The phone number is (585)393-7955.

Basic Needs Clinic Hours:              

Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. -10:00 a.m. at Errera Community Center, 114-152 Boston Post Rd., West Haven 

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday at Newington VA campus

Eligibility:                  

·        Veterans with incomes less than $1,025 per month.

·        Veterans are eligible for these benefits one time, unless documented need is determined and resources are available.

·        Veterans must complete an assessment intake with Outreach staff. 

VA CT - Transitional Housing Program

VA Connecticut—in conjunction with the Department of Veterans Affairs Grant and Per Diem program—has established contracts with 13 facilities that provide transitional housing for homeless Veterans. Currently, 172 beds are available in urban and rural areas across the state, serving both male and female Veterans. Successful applications by community partners in Winsted and New Britain will create even more capacity in the VA CT’s transitional housing program.

ELIGIBILITY FOR G&PD program:

Veterans engaged with the VA CT Homeless Program are, in general, eligible for Grant & Per Diem programs. Specific program stipulations at partner sites further define eligibility. Providers of the Grant & Per Diem Program often require:

• Participation in VA mental health and/or substance abuse treatment
• Involvement in structured community-based activities, such as day programs or jobs
• The willingness to secure income through employment or pensions or other entitlements within a certain timeframe.
• Cooperation in case management services to ensure seamless service plans among all providers, especially between the partner site and VA CT.

List of G&PD Providers in Connecticut:

Permanent Supportive Housing Resources

Veterans in the VA CT Homeless Program have access to a variety of permanent housing options, ranging from subsidized rental initiative to supportive housing. 

•  Extensive community partnerships with non-profit and local municipal housing providers allow Veterans access to a wide range of supportive housing programs, including disabled housing as well as housing for Veterans aged 62 and older. Non-profit housing providers address the geographic need and variety of housing preferences expressed by our Veterans.
• Permanent supportive housing options are listed below: 

For more information on permanent supportive housing options, contact Housing Specialists at 203-479-8056