By Chris Smith
Twenty-five years ago, an appalling number of our Nation’s heroes were living on the street.
It was a scandal: men and women—who courageously and selflessly stepped up and put their lives on the line to defend our great Nation—were without homes in the very country they served.
According to Veterans Administration (VA) estimates, in 2001 almost 300,000 veterans were experiencing homelessness in the United States on any given night. Of those, about 80% suffered from disabilities attributable to their military service—such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)—and many struggled with chemical dependencies on alcohol and drugs.
As the Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs at the time, I met with numerous veterans experiencing homelessness, as well as the Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) working to address the problem. I was horrified to learn of the abject neglect endured by our brave men and women, many of whom had sustained permanent injuries and chronic illnesses as a result of their service.
Not only were they in dire need of housing, but their medical conditions too often limited them from transitioning into civilian life.
Something had to be done and it was.
In August of that year, I wrote the landmark HR 2716, the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001, which included provisions that strengthened at-home care programs, authorized important job training efforts, and expanded grants for transition programs to help incarcerated veterans reenter society.
It also, for the first time ever, authorized VA dental care coverage for homeless veterans to improve their oral, digestive, and heart health while boosting their appearance and self-confidence which helps them to succeed in the work force.
This legislation—informed by the first-hand accounts of veterans who have struggled with housing insecurity and crafted with input from VSOs—targeted the problem of veteran homelessness with coordinated government efforts that addressed the root causes of the problem. This approach provided the proper roadmap for getting veterans off our streets and keeping them in stable housing situations with proper medical and supportive care.
After I chaired a critical congressional hearing on the legislation, and following its passage in both the House and Senate, it was signed into law in December 2001.
Today, the number of homeless veterans on any given night has dropped to 32,495—still far too many, but a remarkable decline nonetheless—thanks not only to the programs included in my law, but also to the important work of many VA partner organizations, as well as the best practices that have been implemented and added over the years.
Moreover, the Trump Administration and VA Secretary Doug Collins have continued to prioritize ending veteran homelessness.
Secretary Collins’ VA has permanently housed close to 52,000 veterans since January 2025—the highest number in seven years—partially through HUD/VASH vouchers, which were codified in my 2001 law. The HUD/VASH program, which pairs housing support with case management services, has awarded more than 116,000 vouchers since 2008, providing veterans with immediate stability, as well as ongoing care and resources.
My original law also created the Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program, which provides grants for transitional housing, ensuring that veterans can continue to receive services and treatment while seeking more permanent homes. The VA recently announced $318 million in awards—to be distributed in Fiscal Year 2027—to community organizations that provide transitional housing, underscoring a renewed federal commitment to combatting veteran homelessness.
We have made incredible progress in the fight against veteran homelessness—but one homeless veteran is still one too many. While the current number of homeless veterans remains unacceptable, I am encouraged by this tremendous achievement and remain committed to ensuring that every veteran has access to the resources and care they have rightfully earned and wholeheartedly deserve.
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U.S. Rep. Chris Smith is serving in his 23rd term in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing New Jersey’s Fourth Congressional District, which includes parts of Monmouth and Ocean counties.
