Through September 30, 2025, VA and dozens of partnering organizations are hosting dedicated outreach surge events in real time within every VA health care system in the United States. The objective is to move more than 20,000 veterans into permanent housing. During these events, veterans are approached wherever they are—in encampments, on the streets, in the woods, under bridges—to offer them immediate enrollment in using programs, health care, behavioral health services, and VA benefits.

Dedicated outreach events are 1- to 3-day efforts in which all community outreach teams engage with unsheltered veterans to connect them, almost on the spot, to housing resources. The initiative, originating with senior VA leadership under the new Presidential administration, requires at least one dedicated outreach surge event by the end of September.

Unsheltered homelessness refers to people sleeping outdoors in public places, such as the aforementioned or others not meant for habitation such as motor vehicles, tents, or abandoned buildings. These unacceptable locations are in contrast with sheltered homelessness, where people live in emergency shelters or other temporary settings.

People experiencing unsheltered homelessness have more significant health issues than those who are sheltered and struggle to access health care and essential medical supplies, including health records, documents, and medications. Moreover, many also lack basic hygiene resources, causing them to face a greater risk of contracting infectious diseases.

On July 24, VA News recounted an effective dedicated surge event held recently in Salt Lake City, Utah, that other future events will likely model. Read the VA News article for additional information and details about the initiative.