U.S. veteran homelessness hits record low despite state-level increases

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development reported that veteran homelessness reached an all-time low in 2025, with 32,495 veterans experiencing homelessness—a 1.2% decrease from the previous year. Since 2010, the number of homeless veterans has fallen by more than 56%, a trend attributed to sustained federal investments in mental health and housing services.

Despite the national decline, the impact across states was uneven. Twenty-five states saw increases in veteran homelessness, while 23 saw decreases. Oregon recorded the largest numerical increase with 228 additional veterans, and Mississippi saw the largest percentage rise at 88%. Conversely, California saw the largest numerical decline, with 624 fewer veterans experiencing homelessness.

In California, preliminary data for 2026 suggests continued progress in several counties. Officials attribute these declines to increased shelter beds and low-income housing funded by the state. However, some activists suggest that increased enforcement against encampments may cause unhoused populations to scatter, making them harder to count, rather than reflecting actual movement into permanent housing.