On any given night in Delaware, nearly 90 veterans are experiencing homelessness. According to the most recent HUD Point-in-Time count, 89 veterans were counted in 2024—a number that has remained stubbornly consistent between 65 and 93 every year since 2017, despite significant federal and state investment in veteran housing programs.
Behind each of those numbers is a person who served their country and, for complex and often intersecting reasons, lost their housing. Addressing veteran homelessness in Delaware requires understanding both the systemic factors driving it and the specific resources available to those affected.
Why Veterans Experience Homelessness
Veteran homelessness is rarely caused by a single factor. Research from the National Alliance to End Homelessness identifies several compounding risk factors:
- Post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury — Combat-related mental health conditions can disrupt employment, relationships, and daily functioning
- Substance use disorders — Often co-occurring with PTSD, substance use is both a cause and consequence of housing instability
- Difficulty translating military skills to civilian employment — Especially for veterans who served in specialized combat roles
- Lack of social support networks — Military service can strain family relationships; after discharge, some veterans lack the community ties that buffer against homelessness
- Discharge status — Veterans with less-than-honorable discharges may be ineligible for VA benefits, including housing assistance
Delaware Resources for Homeless Veterans
Delaware has a concentrated set of programs specifically targeting veteran homelessness. These operate through a combination of federal VA funding, state resources, and nonprofit partnerships:
HUD-VASH (Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing)
The primary federal program combining a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) with VA case management. In Delaware, HUD-VASH vouchers are administered through the Wilmington VA Medical Center. Eligible veterans receive a voucher covering a portion of rent plus ongoing supportive services including mental health care, substance abuse treatment, and employment assistance.
SSVF (Supportive Services for Veteran Families)
A rapid rehousing and homelessness prevention program for veterans and their families. SSVF provides short-term rental assistance, utility payments, and case management to help veterans avoid shelter entry or quickly exit homelessness. In Delaware, SSVF is administered by local nonprofit partners.
Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Program
Funds transitional housing for veterans, typically offering 6–24 months of structured housing combined with employment training, mental health services, and life skills programming.
Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs
The state-level agency connecting veterans to benefits, employment, housing, and healthcare. Their outreach workers can help veterans navigate the complex landscape of federal and state programs.
What the Data Shows
Delaware’s veteran homelessness numbers from the HUD PIT count:
| Year | Homeless Veterans | Total Homeless | Veterans as % of Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 91 | 994 | 9.2% |
| 2019 | 65 | 921 | 7.1% |
| 2020 | 78 | 1,165 | 6.7% |
| 2022 | 93 | 2,369 | 3.9% |
| 2023 | 79 | 1,245 | 6.3% |
| 2024 | 89 | 1,358 | 6.6% |
Source: HUD Exchange, Point-in-Time Count data for DE-500 Continuum of Care.
While the percentage of homeless individuals who are veterans has declined (from 9.2% in 2017 to 6.6% in 2024), the absolute number has barely changed. This suggests that new veterans are entering homelessness at roughly the same rate that existing programs are housing others—a treadmill effect that demands both continued funding for existing programs and new strategies to prevent veteran homelessness before it starts.
How to Get Help
If you are a veteran experiencing homelessness or at risk of losing your housing:
- Call the National Veterans Crisis Line: 988, then press 1
- Call Delaware 211 for immediate shelter referral
- Contact the Wilmington VA Medical Center to ask about HUD-VASH eligibility
- Visit our Veterans Resources page for a complete listing of Delaware-specific programs
Every veteran deserves stable housing. The programs exist—the challenge is reaching every veteran who needs them.
