A Place to Call Home

By the end of fiscal year 2025, the Jackson VA helped 235 Veterans secure permanent housing, reaching 136.6 percent of its goal to house 172 Veterans.

This local accomplishment reflects progress being made across the country. The Department of Veterans Affairs announced that it permanently housed 51,936 homeless Veterans in FY25, marking the strongest national housing performance in seven years. 

Much of this national momentum came from the Getting Veterans Off the Street initiative, launched in May 2025. The effort brought every VA health care system together to identify unsheltered Veterans and quickly connect them with housing, medical care, behavioral health support, and VA benefits. Through this coordinated surge, 25,065 unsheltered Veterans moved into interim or permanent housing.

A Mission Rooted in Compassion

At the Jackson VA, staff describe this achievement as the result of persistence, compassion, and daily outreach. Health Care for Homeless Veterans Coordinator Kimberly Moore said the work is about far more than meeting targets.

“When we help a Veteran move into permanent housing, we’re restoring more than stability. We’re restoring dignity and hope,” Moore said. She added that success often begins with building trust in challenging environments, from encampments to street corners, and offering Veterans a clear path toward safety and support.

Teamwork and Community Partnership

Executive Director Michael Renfrow said the dedication of staff and partners was central to surpassing the annual goal.

“This level of achievement is only possible because our staff refuse to give up on Veterans, no matter how challenging the circumstances,” Renfrow said. He noted that close coordination with community organizations, local service providers, and internal VA programs helped ensure Veterans received the resources and support needed to transition into safe, stable housing.

Housing a Veteran is only the beginning. Jackson VA teams work to connect Veterans with rent subsidies, medical and mental health services, transportation assistance, and, when possible, family reunification. These efforts help build long-term stability and reduce the likelihood of a return to homelessness.

As the facility enters fiscal year 2026, the focus remains on strengthening outreach efforts, expanding community partnerships, and continuing momentum toward ending Veteran homelessness in Mississippi.

For more information about VA housing initiatives and programs supporting homeless Veterans, visit https://www.va.gov/homeless/.