Veteran Homelessness in America

A State-by-State Breakdown of Those Who Served

Across the United States, tens of thousands of men and women who once wore the uniform now face a different kind of battle—one fought without shelter, stability, or support.

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, approximately 35,574 veterans were experiencing homelessness in 2023 during the annual Point-in-Time count. (Mission Roll Call)

This number reflects a single night in January—a snapshot, not the full story. The true number of veterans who experience homelessness throughout the year is significantly higher.

Yet behind every statistic is a human story—of service, sacrifice, and, too often, silence.

National Overview

Total homeless veterans (2023): ~35,574 (Mission Roll Call)
About half are sheltered, while the rest live unsheltered—on streets, in vehicles, or abandoned spaces. (VA News)
Veteran homelessness has dropped over 50% since 2010, showing real progress, though recent years have seen slight increases. (National Low Income Housing Coalition)

Veteran Homelessness by State (Approximate 2023 Estimates)

Below is a representative state-by-state breakdown, based on HUD Point-in-Time data and aggregated reporting. Numbers reflect veterans experiencing homelessness on a single night.

Top 10 States (Highest Veteran Homeless Populations)

State	Homeless Veterans
California	~10,400
Florida	~2,400
Texas	~2,100
New York	~1,800
Washington	~1,500
Oregon	~1,300
Pennsylvania	~1,000
Ohio	~900
North Carolina	~850
Georgia	~800

Mid-Range States

State	Homeless Veterans
Arizona	~800
Illinois	~750
Michigan	~650
Virginia	~600
Colorado	~550
Tennessee	~500
Missouri	~500
Massachusetts	~450
Indiana	~400
Maryland	~400

Lower-Count States

State	Homeless Veterans
Alabama	~350
South Carolina	~350
Kentucky	~300
Wisconsin	~300
Minnesota	~250
Oklahoma	~250
Nevada	~250
Louisiana	~250
Arkansas	~200
Iowa	~200

Small Population States

State	Homeless Veterans
Mississippi	~150
Kansas	~150
New Mexico	~150
Nebraska	~120
Idaho	~120
West Virginia	~120
Maine	~100
New Hampshire	~100
Hawaii	~100
Montana	~90

Lowest Counts

State	Homeless Veterans
Alaska	~80
Delaware	~70
Vermont	~60
Rhode Island	~60
South Dakota	~60
North Dakota	~50
Wyoming	~50
District of Columbia	~300

Why This Matters

Veteran homelessness is not just a housing issue—it’s a convergence of multiple battles:

Post-traumatic stress and mental health challenges
Substance use and recovery struggles
Economic hardship and lack of affordable housing
Breakdown of family and support systems (National Coalition for Homeless Veterans)

In many cases, veterans who once operated in structured, mission-driven environments find themselves navigating a civilian system that feels fragmented and unforgiving.

A Nation at a Crossroads

There is progress—real progress.

Programs led by the Department of Veterans Affairs and HUD have reduced veteran homelessness dramatically over the past decade. Thousands are housed each year through targeted initiatives.

But progress alone is not victory.

Because even one veteran sleeping under a bridge, in a car, or on a sidewalk is a reminder that the mission is unfinished.