What Help Is Available for Veterans Who Can’t Afford a Home?
Veterans who cannot afford their home have access to multiple VA programs and community resources. The fastest way to get help is calling the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838, available 24/7, free and confidential . Help includes emergency rental assistance, foreclosure prevention through the VA Partial Claim Program (launched June 2026), HUD-VASH rental vouchers, SSVF case management, and non-profit grants up to $1,000. New Section 403 Emergency Assistance (July 2026) provides direct payments for rent, utilities, groceries, and transportation .
Quick Facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary Benefit | VA Housing Assistance (Home Loans, Rental Vouchers, Emergency Aid) |
| Eligibility | Veterans, Active Duty, National Guard, Reservists, Surviving Spouses |
| How to Start | Call National Call Center for Homeless Veterans: 877-424-3838Â |
| Emergency Aid (New) | Section 403 assistance (July 29, 2026) covers rent, utilities, groceries, transportation |
| Foreclosure Help (New) | VA Partial Claim Program (launched June 2026)Â |
| Official Agency | U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) |
| Key Form | VA Form 26-1880 (Certificate of Eligibility) |
| Updated For | 2026: Section 403 Emergency Assistance & VA Partial Claim Program now active |
Emergency Financial Assistance: Section 403 (New July 2026)
What It Is
Section 403 Emergency Assistance was authorized under the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act and went live on July 29, 2026Â . This policy gives VA medical centers the power to bypass traditional red tape and directly pay for critical expenses on behalf of Veterans.
How It Works (Important Distinction)
The VA will not give cash directly to Veterans. Instead, VA medical centers and coordinators work directly with landlords, utility companies, retail stores, and vendors to purchase goods and pay bills directly. This ensures immediate barriers to housing are resolved quickly and prevents fraud .
What Expenses Are Covered
Housing & Shelter: Up to 10 months of rent (within a 2-year window), security deposits, utility deposits, past-due utility bills, moving expenses, and short-term storage .
Emergency Lodging: Hotel or motel stays if a shelter bed is unavailable .
Connectivity: Smartphones and active cellular service plans .
Daily Essentials: Groceries, hot meals, clothing, hygiene kits, and emergency outdoor gear .
Transportation: Ride-shares and transit passes for medical appointments, housing interviews, or work .
Who Qualifies
Veterans who are currently experiencing homelessness or are at imminent risk of losing their housing .
Time Limit
This emergency authority is scheduled as a temporary relief window set to expire on September 30, 2027Â .
What Veterans Should Do Next
Call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838 or visit your local VA Medical Center and ask for the homeless program coordinator regarding Section 403 emergency funds .
Important Note on News Confusion
If you see news headlines from July 29, 2026, about the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act failing a Senate vote, that failed bill did NOT impact this homelessness funding. Section 403 is 100% active right now .
VA Home Loan Assistance: Avoiding Foreclosure
VA Partial Claim Program (Launched June 2026)
What It Is
Veterans May Qualify for Extra Benefits
Check available financial assistance, healthcare programs and other opportunities that may apply to you.
Check EligibilityThe VA Partial Claim Program was established by the VA Home Loan Program Reform Act, signed into law on July 30, 2025Â . It creates a permanent partial claims program within the VA Home Loan Program, bringing VA in line with other federal agencies like FHAÂ . This replaces the previous VASP program.
Who Qualifies
Veterans with VA-guaranteed home loans who are in default and can complete a 3-month trial payment plan.
How It Works
Your mortgage servicer identifies you as being in default.
If you can complete a 3-month trial payment plan, the servicer pays your overdue amount to bring the loan current.
VA reimburses the servicer.
You repay the claim when the loan is paid off, refinanced, or the property is sold—not immediately .
Why It Matters
In fiscal year 2025 alone, VA worked with mortgage servicers to help 173,000 Veterans avoid foreclosure.
What Veterans Should Do Next
Contact your mortgage servicer immediately and ask about the VA Partial Claim Program. If your servicer is not helpful, call VA at 877-827-3702, option 6.
Rental Assistance: HUD-VASH and SSVF
HUD-VASH (HUD-VA Supportive Housing)
What It Is
HUD-VASH is a partnership between the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and VA that combines HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance with VA case management and supportive services .
Who Qualifies
Veteran status: Must have served in the active military. Most discharge types are accepted; dishonorable discharge typically disqualifies .
Housing need: Must be homeless or at serious risk of losing housing .
VA health care eligibility: Must be eligible for VA health care services (you don’t need to be already enrolled) .
Income Limits (Updated August 2024)
HUD now requires local housing agencies to accept Veterans earning up to 80% of the Area Median Income (up from 50%) . Additionally, VA disability payments are no longer counted as income when determining eligibility .
How It Works
Once approved, Veterans receive a housing voucher that can be used to rent an eligible privately owned apartment or home. You typically pay around 30% of your monthly income toward rent, and the voucher covers the rest. Every participant is paired with a trained VA case manager who provides ongoing support tailored to each Veteran’s needs .
How to Apply
You do not apply through a housing authority. You start at the VA :
Call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838.
Meet with a VA social worker who assesses your needs.
If you qualify, the VA refers you to a local public housing agency that partners with VASH.
Key Statistics
More than 95,000 formerly homeless Veterans were living in homes through HUD-VASH as of March 2026 .
Since 2008, the program has helped nearly 250,000 Veterans obtain permanent housing .
In June 2026, HUD and VA announced $33 million in funding for 2,532 new HUD-VASH vouchers across 44 states .
SSVF (Supportive Services for Veteran Families)
What It Is
SSVF provides case management and supportive services to very low-income Veterans to prevent the imminent loss of a Veteran’s home or rapidly re-house Veterans and their families who are homeless .
Who Qualifies
Very low-income Veteran families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. VA considers Veterans at risk if they will become homeless within the next 30 days .
Services Include
Crisis resolution to address immediate risk of housing loss .
Temporary financial assistance for rental and utility arrears and other housing-related expenses .
Case management that connects Veteran households to resources for long-term housing stability .
Rapid re-housing to help Veterans transition from literal homelessness into permanent housing .
Assistance obtaining VA benefits and other public benefits .
Why It Matters
In fiscal year 2025, SSVF prevented 33,857 at-risk Veterans and their family members from becoming homeless .
How to Access
Call 877-424-3838 to be connected to SSVF providers in your area .
Non-VA Financial Assistance Programs
MOAA Charities Crisis Relief Program (New)
What It Is
MOAA Charities Crisis Relief Program provides grants of up to $1,000 for active duty service members, Veterans, spouses, surviving spouses, and caregivers facing unexpected, short-term crises . It was developed in response to urgent needs highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to support individuals dealing with disasters and financial shocks .
What It Covers
Housing: Rent, mortgage, repairs .
Utilities and essential bills: Electric, water, internet, groceries .
Auto expenses: Repairs, loans/leases .
Medical and insurance bills .
Other critical needs (case-by-case)Â .
Eligibility
Experiencing a recent financial hardship due to a crisis (within the past 12 months)Â .
Honorable or General (Under Honorable Conditions) discharge .
Demonstrate financial need .
Timeline
Application reviews generally take 5-7 business days .
Disbursement takes 3-5 days after banking information is provided .
How to Apply
Complete the online application through MOAA Charities. You will need details of the financial crisis, supporting financial information (bills, eviction notices, bank statements), and military service details . Only one grant is disbursed per person, per household, and funds cannot be used for legal fees or child support .
Other Resources
County-Level Veterans Assistance
Many counties have Veterans Assistance Commissions that provide temporary financial assistance for Veterans and their families experiencing financial emergencies. Assistance may be paid toward housing costs, transportation expenses, utilities, and food . Eligibility often requires county residency, Veteran status with Honorable discharge, and meeting income criteria .
Other Non-Profit Organizations
USA Cares:Â Assists post-9/11 Veterans facing temporary financial hardships.
Operation Homefront:Â Offers financial and housing assistance to Veterans and their families.
Semper Fi & America’s Fund: Provides financial assistance to Veterans and their families.
Cadets for Vets Program
Some communities offer programs where young people build homes for Veterans on their own property. In one documented case, a Veteran who lost his home in a fire was able to rebuild through this program after receiving a HUD-VASH voucher for temporary housing .
What to Do If You Have a VA Disability Rating
Good News: Your Disability Payments Don’t Count Against You
If you have a VA Disability Rating, your service-connected disability payments are not counted as income when determining eligibility for HUD-VASH . This change was made in August 2024 to prevent Veterans from being disqualified from housing assistance because of their hard-earned benefits .
This is especially important for Veterans with a 100% disability rating, who may earn more than the income limits for some programs but still need housing assistance .
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Waiting too long to ask for help. Contact VA or your mortgage servicer at the first sign of trouble, not when you’re already facing eviction or foreclosure .
Not knowing your discharge status. Some programs require an Honorable or General (Under Honorable Conditions) discharge . If you have a different discharge, check with VA about eligibility.
Assuming you don’t qualify. Many Veterans assume they don’t qualify for assistance. Call 877-424-3838 and let VA determine your eligibility.
Falling for foreclosure rescue scams. Be wary of anyone who asks for upfront fees to help you avoid foreclosure. VA and HUD-approved housing counselors offer free assistance.
Not applying for VA benefits first. Many Veterans are eligible for VA disability compensation but haven’t applied. These benefits can provide income that helps with housing costs.
Common Questions
1. What is the first step if I can’t afford my home?
Call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838. This free, confidential hotline is available 24/7 and connects you with trained counselors who can assess your situation and connect you with emergency assistance and local VA resources .
2. What is the new Section 403 emergency assistance?
Launched July 29, 2026, Section 403 allows VA medical centers to directly pay for rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, and other critical expenses for Veterans who are homeless or at risk. VA pays vendors directly, not the Veteran. It is active now and set to expire September 30, 2027Â .
3. What is the VA Partial Claim Program?
A new program launched June 2026 that helps Veterans with VA-backed loans avoid foreclosure. After a 3-month trial payment plan, the servicer pays the overdue amount to bring the loan current. The Veteran repays the claim later when the loan is paid off or the home is sold .
4. How do I qualify for HUD-VASH?
You qualify if you are a Veteran experiencing homelessness or at serious risk, and you are eligible for VA health care. Veterans earning up to 80% of the Area Median Income may qualify, and VA disability payments are not counted as income . Start by calling 877-424-3838 .
5. Can I get help if I’m renting?
Yes. SSVF provides rental assistance and case management to prevent eviction . HUD-VASH provides rental vouchers for homeless Veterans . Section 403 can also cover past-due rent and security deposits . Call 877-424-3838 to get started.
6. What documents do I need?
For most programs, you will need your DD-214, proof of income, documentation of the hardship (eviction notice, past-due bills), and identification . For home loans, you need a VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) .
7. What if my mortgage servicer won’t help?
If you are having trouble with your servicer, call VA at 877-827-3702, option 6. VA loan technicians can provide counseling and help you navigate available options.
8. Are there income limits for VA housing programs?
It depends on the program. For HUD-VASH, you generally need to be at or below 80% of the Area Median Income, and VA disability payments are not counted . For the VA Partial Claim Program, there is no set income limit; eligibility is based on being in default on a VA-guaranteed loan .
9. Can surviving spouses get help?
Yes. VA housing assistance is available for surviving spouses of Veterans, including home loan benefits and the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) . Non-profit programs like MOAA Charities also support spouses and caregivers .
10. What if I have a VA disability rating?
Your VA disability rating does not disqualify you from housing assistance. In fact, for HUD-VASH, your disability payments are not counted as income . If you have a service-connected disability, you may also be eligible for Specially Adapted Housing grants to modify your home .
Key Takeaways
Call 877-424-3838 immediately if you are struggling to afford your home. This is the single most important step .
New Section 403 Emergency Assistance (July 2026) can pay for rent, utilities, groceries, and transportation for homeless and at-risk Veterans .
VA Partial Claim Program (June 2026) helps Veterans with VA-backed loans avoid foreclosure through deferred repayment .
HUD-VASH provides rental vouchers and case management; VA disability payments are not counted as income .
SSVF prevents homelessness through case management and temporary financial assistance .
MOAA Charities offers grants up to $1,000 for urgent needs like rent, mortgage, and utilities .
VA Disability payments do not count against you for HUD-VASH eligibility .
Don’t wait—prevention services are most effective when accessed early .
Free, confidential help is available 24/7—you are not alone.
Official Resources
VA Housing Assistance:Â https://www.va.gov/housing-assistance/
VA Homeless Programs:Â https://department.va.gov/homeless/
National Call Center for Homeless Veterans:Â 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838)
VA Home Loan Program:Â https://www.va.gov/housing-assistance/home-loans/
HUD-VASH Program:Â https://department.va.gov/homeless/hud-vash/
MOAA Charities Crisis Relief Program:Â https://moaacharities.smapply.us/
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