Birmingham VA Joins National Effort to Get Unsheltered Veterans Off the Streets
By Birmingham VA Health Care System, Public Affairs Office
The Birmingham VA Health Care System joined VA facilities across the nation in a proactive, strategic outreach effort to identify and assist Veterans experiencing unsheltered homelessness.
As part of the nationwide Getting Veterans Off the Streets initiative, the Birmingham VA and community partners—along with VA benefits experts from the Montgomery Regional Office—hosted an Unsheltered Veteran Outreach Surge Event on Tuesday, July 29, at the Church of the Reconciler in Birmingham.
This event offered resources directly to unsheltered Veterans, offering:
- Same-day interim housing placements through Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) partners
- On-site screening for HUD-VASH permanent housing programs
- Orientation for the Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) Program
- Health screenings through the VA Mobile Medical Unit and VA health care staff
- VA benefits counseling and enrollment assistance
- Distribution of personal hygiene kits
“This initiative is about meeting Veterans where they are—whether that’s on the streets, in encampments, or in other unsafe conditions—and providing immediate, real-time solutions,” said Dr. Ladi Kukoyi, Executive Director and CEO of the Birmingham VA Health Care System. “We are committed to working alongside our partners to ensure every Veteran has access to safe, stable housing and the health care and benefits they have earned.”
VA’s Getting Veterans Off the Streets initiative is focused on moving 20,000 unsheltered Veterans into interim or permanent housing by September 30, 2025. The initiative includes nationwide outreach surge events that prioritize urgent action to address unsheltered homelessness.
“This surge event is about more than outreach—it’s about action,” said Ahmad Brewer, Homeless Veteran Program Coordinator. “With dangerous heat and unsafe living conditions, timing matters. Today, we’re meeting Veterans exactly where they are and connecting them to beds, shelter, and support they need—right now. These efforts are saving lives.”
Unsheltered homelessness—defined as living in places not meant for habitation such as sidewalks, vehicles, abandoned buildings, or encampments—presents severe health and safety risks. This event will connect Veterans to critical housing and health services without delay.