Oklahoma City VA’s big blue van hits the road delivering care to unhoused Veterans

Taking health care on the road

Oklahoma City VA is taking an innovative approach to remove barriers between Veterans and their health care.

"We're driving to them," said Muneerah, the Homeless Patient Aligned Care Team (HPACT) director.

With this endeavor, Oklahoma City VA joins 24 other VA sites nationwide, deploying an MMU to care for and reach out to unhoused Veterans.

"We'll visit homeless shelters, encampments and Section 8 housing, for example, offering primary health care services to these Veterans," said Muneerah. “I applied for an MMU to help these vulnerable Veterans who cannot access our clinics or medical centers."

Support and outreach

"We've also removed some distance barriers with our clinic-on-wheels," said Muneerah. "It allows us to deliver care to our Veterans where they are. Bringing the clinic to them ensures we meet their needs."

Muneerah explained Veterans experiencing homelessness struggle with access to physical and mental health care and privacy.

"The MMU is a safe and private space for these vulnerable Veterans, ensuring they receive high-quality health care while maintaining their dignity," said Muneerah." I strive to provide them with the best possible care and experience in a comfortable and secure environment."

A national plan with a local impact

The MMU initiative is part of VA's national strategy to end Veteran homelessness. 

As of February 2024, all 25 MMUs are active and deployed nationwide to care for unhoused Veterans.

"Community outreach is crucial to engaging Veterans who may otherwise not seek VA services," said Muneerah. "For example, a Veteran experiencing homelessness, who had previously not engaged with us, saw our big blue van and approached us. HPACT helped him find a home. Today, he is enrolled and receives VA care."

Veterans do not have to be enrolled in VA care to receive help from HPACT. Still, VA highly encourages Veterans enroll in VA health care to take full advantage of the services available for Veterans experiencing or on the brink of homelessness.

After enrollment, Veterans can expect to receive services such as primary care, access to specialists such as cardiologists, gynecologists and mental health providers, access to senior care, prosthetics, pharmacy and prescriptions, support for specific health needs such as PTSD, substance use treatment and much more. 

Success with Housing First

Muneerah's story of the MMU’s ability to drive VA care directly to Veterans is an example of VA's measures to prevent and end Veteran homelessness, built around the Housing First approach.

"Once Veterans have a home, they can focus on their health and well-being," said Muneerah.

Housing First prioritizes quickly housing Veterans without preconditions such as sobriety. After securing housing, VA provides wraparound services promoting stability and well-being.

These services provide comprehensive care tailored to meet each patient's needs, including medical and mental health care, job training and substance use treatment.

Since 2012, VA's commitment to Housing First has helped VA reduce Veteran homelessness by more than 52%. Learn more about VA’s implementation of Housing First.

The HPACT approach

HPACT coordinates with all VA homeless programs to ensure Veterans experiencing homelessness receive comprehensive care.

Through a carefully customized care plan for each Veteran, HPACT integrates medical, housing and employment services, creating a unified support system that improves well-being and stability.

"We're not going to do one visit and say, 'see you later,'" said Muneerah. "We're going to help you find housing and provide you with high-quality primary medical care, mental health care, substance use treatment and necessities."

HPACT clinics are in VA medical centers, outpatient clinics and resource centers. HPACT consists of doctors, social workers, counselors, nurses, and staff who work with homeless programs.

This team provides assistance to Veterans who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of becoming homeless due to financial hardship, unemployment, addiction, depression or transition from jail.

Connect to resources and help

Every day, VA sees the transformative power of these services in the lives of Veterans.

If you or a Veteran you know faces housing challenges in Oklahoma City and its surrounding areas, please get in touch with Homeless Veterans Social Worker Christine Cleary at (405)-250-7344 or learn more about the care available for Veterans experiencing homelessness.

You're not alone, and there's support available for you.

Veterans outside of Oklahoma City can connect with the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-4AID-VET (877-424-3838) or by visiting VA Homeless Programs to learn about housing solutions and other programs for Veterans experiencing homelessness.

Jesus Flores is a writer and editor on the VISN 19 Creative Task Force and a Marine Corps Veteran