VA San Diego and County Fight Veteran Homelessness
PRESS RELEASE
July 7, 2023
San Diego , CA — VA San Diego Healthcare System joins community initiative to combat homelessness among Veterans.
San Diego County officials unveiled a new initiative to reduce Veteran homelessness to functional zero. That’s the point where the number of new homeless Veterans each month is less than the number of Veterans placed into housing each month. VA San Diego Healthcare System plays a key role in the initiative by identifying Veterans at risk of homelessness and providing a continuum of services to include HUD-VASH housing vouchers.
“Veterans are our business,” said Dr. Frank Pearson, Director and CEO of VA San Diego Healthcare System. “We look forward to joining those of you here to achieve functional zero Veteran homelessness throughout San Diego and the surrounding area.”
San Diego County is home to over 250,000 Veterans. At present, the Regional Task Force on Homelessness estimates nearly 1,000 Veterans experience homelessness in the region. Over the next 15 months, VA San Diego, the County of San Diego, community partners, and local municipalities will join in a regional strategic action plan to end Veteran homelessness by achieving “Functional Zero,” meaning that Veteran homelessness is rare, and every unhoused Veteran has the opportunity and support to have permanent housing and necessary supportive services.
Veterans at risk of homelessness can visit any VA San Diego Healthcare System facility or visit https://www.va.gov/san-diego-health-care/health-services/homeless-veteran-care/. Details about the framework for the No Veteran Left Homeless initiative can be found on the San Diego County website.