2026 TOGETHER WE MARCH "HOMELESS VETERANS AWARENESS DAY"
- Date:06/30/2026 12:00 AM - 06/30/2026 12:00 AM
- Location Online Event
Description
Support our homeless veterans. Provide care for our neighbors who have served, many of whom live below the poverty line.
Support veteran charities that assist the homeless with their daily needs, Donate to the charities Wishlist, or simply volunteer.
"Support our homeless veterans and the shelters that offer assistance"
- Over 41,000 Veterans in America experience homelessness on any given day
- A record-high 653,104 people experienced homelessness on a single night in January 2023. This is more than a 12.1 percent increase over the previous year.
- From 2019-2023, the number of people who entered emergency shelter for the first time increased more than 23 percent.1
- In 2023, a record high 256,610 people, or 39.3 percent of all people experiencing homelessness, were unsheltered. More than 50 percent of individuals experiencing homelessness were unsheltered.
- The number of renter households paying more than 50 percent of their income on rent increased dramatically, rising over 12.6 percent between 2015 to 2022. People who identify as Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Black, Hispanic, Asian or ‘Some Other Race’ are more greatly impacted.
- After years of declines due to targeted assistance, the numbers of veterans and chronically homeless individuals experiencing homelessness are both rising again, with a 7 percent and 12 percent increase, respectively, since the previous year.
FOR MORE HELP FOR VETERANS & MILITARY SERVICE PERSONEL AS IN MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, ASSISTANCE FOR HOMELESS VETERANS, HOME REPAIR, & NATIONAL RESOURCES & MORE
Volunteers Of America – Supports individuals and communities through housing, healthcare, and human services for vulnerable populations such as veterans, the homeless, and the elderly.
AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) – Empowers people 50 and older to live their best lives through advocacy, community service, and resources on health, finances, and independence.
National Council on Aging (NCOA)– Improves the lives of older adults, especially the vulnerable and disadvantaged, through advocacy, services, and partnerships that promote aging well.
Alzheimer’s Association – Leads efforts to end Alzheimer’s and other dementias by advancing research, providing care and support, and promoting brain health.
DAV (Disabled American Veterans) – Empowers disabled veterans to lead high-quality lives through free assistance with benefits, advocacy, and community support.
YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association) – Builds healthy spirit, mind, and body for all through community programs in youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly – Reduces isolation and loneliness among older adults by fostering friendships and community connections.
The Salvation Army – A Christian organization that serves people in need by preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and meeting human needs without discrimination.
FOOD RESOURCES
SHELTER
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Provides affordable housing programs like public housing and Section 8 vouchers to help low-income individuals and families pay rent.
Connects people experiencing homelessness to emergency shelters, transitional housing, and long-term housing support.
Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA)
Helps cover rent, past-due rent, and utility bills to prevent eviction. Available through local city or county programs.
Emergency Solutions Grants Program
Provides emergency shelter, hotel vouchers, and rapid rehousing services for individuals and families in crisis.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Offers housing assistance and supportive services for veterans, including vouchers and homelessness prevention programs.
Free helpline that connects you to local shelters, rental assistance, food programs, and emergency housing services.
Provides emergency housing assistance, rent help, shelters, and supportive services for families and individuals in need.
Offers emergency shelter, transitional housing, rent assistance, and disaster relief services nationwide.
Federal and State Resources and Professional Organizations
There are also state and federal resources designed to help you find health care providers and low-cost services. Some of the state resources include:
- Texas Health and Human Services (HHS)
hhs.texas.gov/services/mental-health-substance-use
HHS offers mental health and substance use services for families and people of all ages. - 2-1-1 Texas
Call 211 for Essential Community Services | United Way 211 - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
www.samhsa.gov
For general information on mental health and to locate treatment services in your area, call the SAMHSA Treatment Referral Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). SAMHSA also has a Behavioral Health Treatment Locator on its website that can be searched by location. - National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
www.nami.org/home
NAMI provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness for individuals and loved ones affected by mental illness. - Mental Health America (MHA)
www.mhanational.org
MHA is a community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and promoting the overall mental health of all Americans.
Assistance for Children, and Youth Families
National Alliance on Mental Illness North Texas
- National Child Traumatic Stress Network – Improves access to care, treatment, and services for children and adolescents exposed to traumatic events.
- Texas System of Care – Connects communities to ensure children and youth have access to mental health services.
- City House
- Mental Health America of Greater Tarrant County
Suicide Prevention
C-SSRS - Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale – Tool that helps users identify whether someone is at risk for suicide, assess the severity and immediacy of that risk, and gauge the level of support that the person needs.
- Now Matters Now – Skills and support for coping with suicidal thoughts.
- Suicide Prevention Resource Center – Provides technical assistance, training, and materials for suicide prevention practitioners and other professionals serving people at risk for suicide.
- https://www.sccenter.org/ - Crisis can strike any time, day or night. When feelings of hopelessness, isolation, shame, and anxiety lead people to think that suicide is their only option, the can't wait for help. They need to talk to someone at our suicide and crisis hotline...now.