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 must be addressed through a coordinated approach. The Government is committed to working with communities and partners to ensure Veterans are housed.
• Housing affordability remains a pressing concern for many Canadians, including Veterans.
• Veterans Affairs is working closely with Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada and other stakeholders on the Veteran Homelessness Program, and initiatives to support Veterans experiencing, or at risk of homelessness.
• Veterans Affairs Canada is working together with government partners to ensure the needs and well-being of Veterans are reflected in any new programs being planned under the proposed Build Canada Homes organization.
• 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.

Veteran homelessness in Canada
According to Census 2021, there are an estimated 461,240 Canadian Veterans.
As of April 2025, the Government of Canada1 estimates that there are approximately 2,000 Veterans who experience homelessness across Canada throughout a calendar year.
Federal actions on Veteran homelessness:
Veterans Affairs Canada supports
Veterans Affairs 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.
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.
Veteran Homelessness Program (VHP) – Administered by Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC):
o $106.8M over 5 years
 Rent supplements + wraparound supports provided
 Partnering with community organizations Canada-wide
 Part of Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy.
 As of March 2025, 1,487 Veterans have been served by this program. Of those, 215 received rent supplements
o Note that these numbers reflect preliminary results from the first year of project operations. Official results are being collected and analyzed and will be available later this year.
1 Housing, Infrastructure Communities Canada 2024 Point in Time (PiT) count and 2023 Shelter Data

Q1 – The government response to the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs (ACVA) report dated 2022 noted that Veteran homelessness is a solvable problem. What progress has been made to solve Veteran homelessness?
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 Veteran Homelessness Program, which provides rent supplements and wraparound services to Veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Veterans Affairs Canada 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 sources1 indicate that the number of Veterans experiencing homelessness, including those experiencing hidden homelessness, has decreased to approximately 2,000 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.
Q2 – What is the government doing to increase the supply of affordable housing for Veterans?
Rent supplements available through Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC)’s Veteran Homelessness Program are helping to make rent more affordable for Veterans. We are developing relationships with organizations that are building housing for Veterans, and we look forward to increased housing opportunities under Build Canada Homes.
1 Housing, Infrastructure Communities Canada 2024 Point in Time (PiT) count and 2023 Shelter Data
Q3 – Can you share the progress made under the Veteran Homelessness Program so far?
All specific details on the Program should be directed to my colleague, the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, as Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada would have the most up-to-date and accurate information.

Q4 – How is the administration budget for the Veteran Homelessness Program being used?
All questions on the administration fees and specific details on the Veteran Homelessness Program should be directed to my colleague, the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure.