By Larry Dandridge
This is the second article in a series of three articles on homeless veterans and the resources available to those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless due to financial hardship, unemployment, addiction, depression, injury, illness, disability, or transition from jail. Article 1 can be read online at https://www.yourislandnews.com: click Military, then go to the Feb. 5, 2026, article.
According to the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center & Healthcare System (RHJVAMC&HCS) of Charleston, SC webpage “Homesless veteran care” at https://bit.ly/4qxoeB9, “If you are a veteran who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless due to financial hardship, unemployment, addiction, depression, or transition from jail, VA Charleston health care can help you. Contact a VA homeless services care coordinator to get help.”
VA Homeless Care Coordinator
The RHJVAMC&HCS Senior Social Worker/Homeless Care Coordinator is Erin Ashoss, phone: 843-789-6804; Email: ErinAshoff@va.gov. Find your local VA Medical Center at the VA locator at https://bit.ly/4ksJGpt.
Care provided by the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center & Healthcare System (RHJVAMC&HCS) of Charleston
The RHJVAMC&HCS helps veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless due to financial hardship, unemployment, addiction, depression, or transition from jail. Contact the VA Charleston homeless services care coordinator to get help with:
- Immediate food and shelter, including both transitional and permanent housing.
- Job training, life skills development, and education.
- Support with justice system navigation and community re-entry from jail.
- Financial support to prevent homelessness.
- Treatment for addiction and depression.
- Health and dental care.
VA Homeless Programs
The VA’s specialized programs for homeless veterans serve hundreds of thousands of homeless and at-risk veterans each year. Independently and in collaboration with federal and community partners, VA programs provide veterans with housing solutions, employment opportunities, health care, justice- and reentry-related services, and more. Learn more on the VA’s “VA Homeless Programs” webpage at https://bit.ly/4cgUlRW.
VA Homeless Programs include the following Housing-related Programs
· Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF). SSVF is for very low-income veterans. SSVF provides case management and supportive services to prevent the imminent loss of a veteran’s home; to identify a new, more suitable housing situation for the individual and his or her family; or to rapidly re-house veterans and their families who are homeless and might remain homeless without assistance. Learn more about SSVF at https://bit.ly/401GWpr. Find an SSVF provider in the directory found at https://bit.ly/401GWpr. The SSVF Charleston, SC, Email: ssvfcharlestonvm@one80place.org; and phone: 843-212-8668, Intake Information serves Beaufort and Berkeley counties. Read about the CCVF-Shallow Subsidy Services at https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/ShallowSubsidy.asp.
· Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Program. State, local, and tribal governments and nonprofits receive capital grants and per diem payments to develop and operate transitional housing—including short-stay bridge housing—and/or service centers for veterans who are homeless. Learn more about GPD at https://bit.ly/4tuiquE.
· HUD-VASH (US Department of Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing). This collaborative program between HUD and VA combines HUD housing vouchers with VA supportive services to help homeless veterans and their families find and sustain permanent housing. Through public housing authorities, HUD provides rental assistance vouchers for privately owned housing to veterans who are eligible for VA health care services and are experiencing homelessness. VA case managers may connect these veterans with support services such as health care, mental health treatment, and substance use counseling to help them in their recovery process and with their ability to maintain housing in the community. Among VA homeless continuum of care programs, HUD-VASH enrolls the largest number and largest percentage of veterans who have experienced long-term or repeated homelessness. Learn more at https://bit.ly/3OxS8HQ.
The VA Homeless Programs include the following Employment-Related Programs:
· Homeless Veteran Community Employment Services (HVCES). Employment is a key element in helping veterans transition permanently out of homelessness or avoid it altogether. It is now easier than ever for business and industry to find, interview, and hire job-ready veterans exiting homelessness. The VA has placed over 150 Community Employment Coordinators (CECs) at most VA Medical Centers to help connect employers with veterans leaving homeless situations. CECs are recruiters’ connection to veteran new hires across a wide variety of sectors. Learn more about HVCES at https://bit.ly/4bLLCHl. Download the HVCES Fact Sheet at https://bit.ly/4kzdCQS. Find the Community Employment Coordinator (CEC) Contact List at https://bit.ly/4qz6ANl. Learn more about CWT at https://www.va.gov/health/cwt/. Contact the Charleston, SC CEC, Okereta Mills at Okereta.Mills@va.gov.
· Compensated Work Therapy (CWT). CWT provides transitional work and supported employment to help homeless veterans return to competitive employment. (CWT) is a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) clinical vocational rehabilitation program that provides vocational rehabilitation services; partners with business, industry, and government agencies to provide veteran candidates for employment and veteran labor; and provides employment support to veterans and employers.
CWT programs are located within all VA medical centers. Veterans in CWT are paid at least the federal or state minimum wage, whichever is higher. Learn more about CWT at https://www.va.gov/health/cwt/.
The VA Homeless Programs include the VA’s Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Program
HCHV offers outreach, case management, and residential treatment services to help veterans transition from living on the street or in institutions to stable housing situations. HCHV staff engage and serve veterans who are homeless, including those diagnosed with mental health or substance use issues. Through HCHV, Veterans receive exams, treatment, referrals, and case management. At more than 135 HCHV sites, trained, caring VA specialists provide the tools and support veterans need to get housed and healthy. Learn more at https://bit.ly/3ZqGgtJ, https://bit.ly/3OiDuEi, and .https://bit.ly/4rgPy7U
The VA Homeless Programs include the Homeless Veterans Dental Program
VA’s dental services help thousands of eligible homeless and other Veterans each year get access to quality dental care. Dental treatment may be available through these programs: Domiciliary Residential Rehabilitation Treatment, Grant and Per Diem, Compensated Work Therapy/Transitional Residence, HCHV (contract bed), and Community Residential Care. Dental care may also be available to certain veteran patients enrolled in VA-sponsored and partnership homeless rehabilitation programs. Persons wishing to obtain information regarding the homeless dental program in their area should contact their nearest VA hospital and ask for the homeless coordinator’s office. Learn more about the VA Homeless Veterans Dental Program at https://www.va.gov/homeless/dental.asp.
Continued next week.
Larry Dandridge is a Vietnam War wounded warrior, disabled veteran, ex-Enlisted Infantryman, ex-Warrant Officer Pilot, and retired Lt. Colonel. He is a former Veterans Service Officer, a Patient Adviser at the RHJ VA and Durham VA Medical Centers, a Fisher House Charleston Goodwill Ambassador, and the VP for Veteran Affairs for his local AUSA Chapter, MOPH Chapter, and VFW Post 7383. Larry is also the author of the award-winning Blades of Thunder (Book One) and a contributing freelance writer with the Island News. Contact him at LDandridge@earthlink.net or 843-276-7164.