Housing Over 100 Homeless Veterans

The Butler VA Health Care System is committed to ending homelessness among Veterans because it is our nation’s duty to ensure all Veterans have a place to call home. 

As part of VA’s nationwide homelessness goals for 2023, the Butler VA has permanently housed 101 homeless Veterans.

These placements, along with placements provided by other VA health care systems across America, led to VA housing 46,552 Veterans nationwide, meeting and exceeding its national goal by more than 22.5%

“This goal was achieved through the hard work and dedication of our Butler VA homeless team and our valued community partners,” said Sharon Coyle, Butler VA Director. “The progress we’re seeing with Veteran homelessness in our local counties shows that we have the right solutions to end homelessness for all Veterans we care for.

First up for 2024? The Point-in-Time (PIT) count.

The PIT count is an annual effort led by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to estimate the number of Americans, including Veterans, without safe, stable housing.  It is one of the tools used to assess progress each year toward VA's priority goal of ending homelessness among Veterans. The PIT Count is also among the ways VA estimates the homeless population nationwide to help direct resources based on need.

Butler VA staff and local community stakeholders participated in PIT counts throughout January in all five counties the Butler VA Health Care System serves: Butler, Armstrong, Lawrence, Clarion, and Mercer. 

“We did not identify any unsheltered Veterans during this year’s PIT counts! Veterans who experience unsheltered homelessness live in places not meant for human habitation, such as cars, parks, sidewalks, abandoned buildings and literally on the street,” shared Linda Beauregard, Healthcare for Homeless Veterans Program Coordinator. “We are grateful for all those who helped with this year’s point in time count and continue to help us work towards zero homeless Veterans.”

Everyone can help end Veteran homelessness.

The goal of ending homelessness among Veterans is within reach—and in fact is already happening community by community.

Learn more about VA’s homeless programs and get involved. If you know a Veteran who is homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless, refer him or her to the Butler VA, or their local VA Medical Center, where homeless coordinators are ready to help. 

Veterans and their families can also call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-4AID-VET (877-424-3838). Visit the VA Homeless Programs website (www.va.gov/homeless) to learn about housing initiatives and other programs for Veterans exiting homelessness.