Who is making a difference?

Who is helping homeless veterans?  The most effective programs for homeless and at-risk veterans are community-based, nonprofit, “veterans helping veterans” groups. One new initiative that seems to work best is the Housing First approach.  Housing First prioritizes providing permanent housing to people experiencing homelessness, thus ending their homelessness and serving as a platform from which they can pursue personal goals and improve their quality of life. This approach is guided by the belief that people need basic necessities like food and a place to live before attending to anything less critical, such as getting a job, budgeting properly, or attending to substance use issues.

Because government money for homeless veterans is limited and VA serves less than half of this population, it is critical that community groups reach out to help provide the support, resources and opportunities most Americans take for granted: employment, housing and health care.  

There are over 2,100 community-based homeless veteran service providers across the country and many other homeless assistance programs that have demonstrated impressive success reaching homeless veterans. These groups are most successful when they work in collaboration with federal, state and local government agencies; other homeless providers; and veteran service organizations. Veterans who participate in these programs have a higher chance of becoming tax-paying, productive citizens again.

Tucson VA Medical Center I Southern AZ Health Care - 3601 S 6th Ave Tucson, AZ 85723. (520) 792-1450. Secondary Phone Number: 1-800-470-8262. 

Gospel Rescue Mission - Located in Center of Opportunity 4550 S Palo Verde Rd, Tucson, AZ 85714Located in Center of Opportunity 4550 S Palo Verde Rd, Tucson, AZ 85714Located in Center of Opportunity 4550 S Palo Verde Rd, Tucson, AZ 85714. Open daily 8am - 4:30pm

Old Pueblo Community Services I OPCS - 4501 East 5th Street UNIT 1, Tucson, AZ 85711. (520) 546-0122

Primavera Foundation - Project Action for Veterans - 3504 S 6th Ave Suite 150, Tucson, AZ 85713. (520) 308-3093

Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services - Tucson Regional Office - 1661 N Swan Rd, Tucson, AZ 85712 (800) 852-8387. 

 US Veterans Readjustment - 2525 E Broadway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85716. (520) 882-0333.  

Arizona State Veteran Home - Tucson - 555 E Ajo Way, Tucson, AZ 85713. (520) 638-2150. Open daily 7am-7pm

*Unless otherwise noted - all organizations listed are closed Sat & Sun