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Homelessness: Demand for Services to Homeless Veterans Exceeds VA Program Capacity

HEHS-94-98 Published: Feb 23, 1994. Publicly Released: Feb 23, 1994.
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Highlights

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) activities related to homeless veterans, focusing on VA: (1) interaction with federal, state, local, and private organizations that provide services for homeless veterans; (2) discharge planning for homeless patients at VA medical facilities; and (3) progress in evaluating homeless veterans' needs.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Veterans Affairs The Secretary of Veterans Affairs should direct the Under Secretary for Health to initiate, without delay, the assessments required under section 107 of Public Law 102-405 and establish a firm date for completion of the assessments and submission of the results to the Senate and House Committees on Veterans' Affairs.
Closed – Implemented
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs concurred with the recommendation and on December 31, 1994, issued his "First Annual Progress Report on Public Law 102-405, Section 107." The report, subtitled "Services for Homeless Veterans: Assessment and Coordination," provided Congress with information on activities carried out by medical center director and regional benefits offices to assess the needs of homeless veterans, coordinate services with non-VA organizations, develop a list of public and private programs that assist homeless persons, and encourage the development of plans to coordinate the provision of services among all public and private programs in the areas they serve. Medical center and regional office directors will, in 1995, 1996, and 1997, update the assessments and describe progress made to provide and coordinate service for homeless veterans.

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Topics

Community health servicesDisadvantaged personsHealth care servicesHomelessnessHousing programsInteragency relationsPrivate sectorVeterans benefitsVeterans employment programsVeterans hospitalsLife skills training