Veteran homelessness on decline for most of U.S.
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U.S. veteran homelessness declined more than 50% over the past 15 years, according to the latest federal housing data.
Why it matters: The widespread declines represent significant progress in addressing homelessness among those who served, although some states continue to struggle.
By the numbers: Veteran homelessness declined in 43 states and Washington, D.C., between 2011 and 2025, according to an Axios analysis of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) data.
- New York (-78%), North Dakota (-77%), Louisiana (-75%) and Georgia (-72%) saw the sharpest declines in that timeframe.
Yes, but: The Pacific Northwest stands out as a region where progress was limited.
- Oregon saw veteran homelessness rise by 11% after 2011.
- The state also had one of the nation's highest rates of veteran homelessness in 2025, as well, with roughly 74 homeless veterans per 10,000 veterans.
- Housing costs and a shortage of available housing are among the challenges facing veterans and non-veterans alike in that part of the country.
Caveat: Percentage changes can look especially dramatic in smaller states, where relatively modest shifts involve a small starting population.
- Delaware recorded the largest percentage increase, but its count rose by only 39 people, from 55 in 2011 to 94 in 2025.
- The state received federal recognition in 2016 for effectively ending veteran homelessness, a designation reflecting its ability to rapidly house veterans rather than completely eliminate homelessness.
Between the lines: The HUD data reflects point-in-time counts, annual estimates of the population experiencing homelessness taken during a single night in January.
What we're watching: Whether new VA programs help house more veterans.
