Question Period Note: VETERAN HOMELESSNESS

• Veteran homelessness in Canada is unacceptable; Veterans deserve a safe and affordable place to live.
• Veteran homelessness is a complex issue that requires a coordinated, sustained approach. The Government is actively working with communities and partners to reduce its occurrence and to prevent it whenever possible.
• The Government welcomes the opportunity to improve Veteran well-being through the programs that will be administered by Build Canada Homes.
• Veterans Affairs is working closely with Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada and other stakeholders on initiatives to support Veterans experiencing, or at risk of homelessness.
• Veterans Affairs is working at the local level to connect Veterans with community organizations and property developers/managers who build/administer affordable housing in their area.

Veterans Affairs Canada Supports
VAC provides case management to Veterans who have complex needs.
Case managers work with local partners, including the organizations receiving Veteran Homelessness Program (VHP) funding, to connect Veterans to housing and wrap around supports. Additionally, front-line staff members conduct regular outreach with local organizations.
• Veterans Emergency Fund (VEF) provides emergency financial support to Veterans, their families and survivors at risk due to an urgent and unexpected situation.
• Veterans and Family Well-Being Fund provides funding to organizations for research and initiatives that support Veteran well-being, including those helping Veterans experiencing homelessness.
VAC shares information about available supports through our publications and social media platforms.
VAC also engages community partners through initiatives such as the Military Veteran Wellness Program, which helps frontline professionals (e.g., police and first responders) identify and refer Veterans they encounter in their work.
First Report of the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs, Moving Towards Ending Homelessness Among Veterans (2022)
The Government agrees with the Committee that homelessness is a complex issue for which the solution requires numerous, coordinated interventions. The Government is taking action through initiatives like the VHP, which provides rent supplements and wraparound services to Veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
VAC continues to work with Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada to deliver this program and collect data to better understand the issue. The Government also continues to collaborate with federal, provincial, territorial, and community partners to improve supports and services for Veterans.
The most recent data sources indicate that the number of Veterans experiencing homelessness, including those experiencing hidden homelessness, has decreased to approximately 1,800 from 2,600 in 2019.
The government is taking a "whole-of-government, evidence-based, and collaborative approach" to end Veteran homelessness by:
• Investing in housing and supports
• Funding innovative community projects
• Improving coordination and service delivery
• Focusing on data and research
• Engaging stakeholders across Canada

QUICK FACTS & FIGURES
There are an estimated 461,240 Canadian Veterans (Census 2021).
As of October 2025, there are an estimated 1,800 Veterans who experience homelessness across Canada over the course of a year (based on 2024 shelter information and Point-in-Time counts). This number is down from about 2,000 based on the previous data from 2023.
Overall numbers show a steady downward trend over several years (except during COVID).
Veteran Homelessness Program - Administered by Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC):
• $106.8M over 5 years
• Launched in 2023, began serving Veterans in 2024
• 1,460 Veterans have been served under the VHP (Year 1 results based on 93.5% of results reported, reflect Veterans served up until March 31, 2025)
• Funding is being delivered under two streams:
o 28 organizations have received funding under the Services and Supports Stream which focuses on the delivery of rent supplements and wrap-around services
o 6 organizations have received funding under Capacity Building Stream which focuses on research and improved data collection on Veteran homelessness, as well as increasing capacity of organizations
• Rent supplements + wraparound supports being provided to help Veterans stabilize and maintain housing once secured.
• Partnering with community organizations Canada-wide.
Part of Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy.
Year 1 Results (2024-25): Based on 29 of 31 (93.5%) of projects
• Total Veterans Served • 1,460
• Total served includes:
• Rent supplements Provided • 200+
• Veterans experiencing homelessness who obtained stable housing • 233
• Veterans at imminent risk of homelessness who received a prevention or shelter diversion intervention • 1,053
All 1,460 Veterans served received wrap around supports through the program
Funding:
• $106.8m • Total funding for program
• $72.9m • Program Funding for Services and Supports Stream
• $6.2m • Program Funding for Capacity Building Stream
• $27.7m • Administrative Costs for HICC (no admin funding for VAC)