VA and community partners declare end to North Texas Veteran homelessness

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By Jeffrey Clapper, Chief communications & community engagement

Christopher Varner, once a confident soldier in Afghanistan, faced tough challenges adjusting to civilian life. Thanks to the HUD-VASH program, he and 531 other North Texas Veterans secured

housing in 2023, enabling Dallas to declare an effective end to Veteran homelessness on May 22nd.

Christopher Varner navigated the battlefields and terrain of Afghanistan as a soldier with skill, precision, and confident ease. 

His reintegration into civilian life after the military was fraught with bad choices and challenges. Faced with a myriad of personal and legal challenges, in addition to obstacles in

maintaining housing for himself and a daughter, Varner began to spiral. 

Varner was one of 532 North Texas Veterans housed in fiscal year 2023 thanks to collaborative efforts and the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program, and a key reason why

the city of Dallas was able to join 83 other states and communities across the United States that formally declared an effective end to Veteran homelessness. 

The City of Dallas joined VA North Texas and community stalwarts Housing Forward and the All-Neighbors Coalition, in formally declaring the effective end of homelessness for North Texas

Veterans at Dallas City Hall on May 22nd. 

Meg Kabat, principal senior advisor to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, was a keynote speaker at the announcement and declaration ceremony attended by hundreds of civic, homeless, and

Veteran leaders. 

“The words homeless and Veteran should never be used together,” said Kabat. 

In addition to HUD/VASH, VA provides housing through the Grant and Per Diem program, offering temporary housing for veterans with a structured housing plan, those in need of clinical

services, and those requiring additional time to prepare for permanent housing. This multifaceted approach ensures that VA can cater to the diverse needs of our veteran population and

provide them with the necessary resources to rebuild their lives.

“VA is committed to addressing the holistic needs of our veterans, including their physical and mental well-being,” said Jason Cave, Executive Medical Center Director for VA North Texas

Health Care System. “Through the healthcare services for homeless veterans, quality medical care, mental health support, and other essential services we are addressing the crucial stability

and recovery part of the overall program.”

Thanks to the HUD.VASH program and the efforts of VA North Texas’ Comprehensive Homeless Center programs, Christopher Varner is now on his way to living his best life.

“Not only have I evolved as a Veteran, but I have evolved as a man, and strive each day to make better choices that positively impact me and my daughter,” said Varner.