Healey-Driscoll Administration Celebrates One Year of Progress in Ending Veteran Homelessness in Massachusetts

 Healey-Driscoll Administration Celebrates One Year of Progress in Ending Veteran Homelessness in Massachusetts 

Nearly 200 veterans got permanent or transitional housing through Governor Healey’s End Veteran Homelessness Campaign; 330 housing units slated for development in 2025 
 

NEW BEDFORD – One year after launching the End Veteran Homelessness (EVH) campaign, the Healey-Driscoll Administration is announcing significant progress in securing stable housing for veterans across Massachusetts. In just one year, the Executive Office of Veteran Services (EOVS) has enrolled more than 500 veterans in the administration’s HOPE program, which streamlines housing placements and support services. In addition, EOVS helped nearly 200 veterans secure permanent or transitional housing, and provided more than $300,000 in financial assistance for housing costs for veteran families. Additionally, more than 330 veteran housing units are slated for development in 2025. 

Governor Maura Healey and Veterans Services Secretary Jon Santiago joined New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell, Veterans Committee Chair Representative Joe McGonagle, Representative Chris Hendricks and Representative Chris Markey at the Veterans Transition House in New Bedford to make the announcement. 

“Massachusetts is leading the way in the fight to end veteran homelessness because we refuse to accept that any veteran should ever be without a safe, stable place to call home,” said Governor Maura Healey. “In just one year, this campaign has helped hundreds of veterans find housing and critical support – but we know there is still work to do. We will keep pushing forward, making smart investments and strengthening partnerships until we ensure that every veteran in our Massachusetts has the resources they deserve.” 

“No veteran who served our country should ever have to worry about having a roof over their head,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This campaign is delivering real results, ensuring that our veterans have access to stable housing and supportive services. We remain committed to providing them with the dignity and care they deserve.” 

“This campaign is about more than just numbers—it’s about real people, real families, and real change,” said Veterans Services Secretary Jon Santiago. “A veteran who was once sleeping on the streets now has a stable home. A family at risk of losing their housing has received financial assistance to stay together. We have built a system that doesn’t just react to homelessness but actively works to prevent it. This is what progress looks like.” 

Announced in March 2024, the $20 million EVH campaign represents the largest targeted investment in veteran housing and services in state history. The EVH campaign was developed as a cross-agency effort to ensure that veteran homelessness in Massachusetts becomes rare, brief, and nonrecurring. The initiative, led by the Executive Office of Veterans Services (EOVS) and the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), has worked to streamline housing placements, expand financial assistance, invest in critical support services, and strengthen partnerships at every level of government. 

The campaign’s success is driven by five key pillars designed to comprehensively address the challenges of veteran homelessness, including (1) Homelessness Outreach to Placement Effort (HOPE); (2) Capital Investments Supporting Veteran Housing; (3) Aligning Supportive Services with Veteran Housing Goals; (4) End Veteran Homelessness Advisory Council; (5) Empowering and Supporting our Veteran Service Providers.   

One Year of Results: End Veteran Homelessness Campaign by the Numbers 

Through coordinated efforts, HOPE offers direct outreach, housing placement, and ongoing support for long-term success. Since its launch in July 2024:  

• Enrolled over 533 veterans in the HOPE program, which streamlines housing placements and coordinates support services.  

• Placed 96 veterans in permanent housing, with an average placement time of just 19 days.  

• Placed 89 veterans in transitional housing, averaging 10 days from enrollment to placement.  

• Provided $318,989 in financial assistance to over 300 veteran families for rent, security deposits, moving costs, and emergency housing. 

Historic Investments in Veteran Housing 

Recognizing that housing is the foundation of stability, the Healey-Driscoll Administration has made historic capital investments in veteran housing, ensuring long-term solutions: 

• Investing $13 million to support new veteran housing developments.  

• Over 330 veteran housing units slated for development in 2025. 

• Collaborating with non-profit, local, and federal agencies to improve coordination of care for veterans experiencing housing instability. 

Beyond housing, Massachusetts has focused on long-term stability for veterans through critical support services. Since July 2024 the Healey-Driscoll Administration has delivered over 111,000 essential services to nearly 8,500 unique veterans, including:   

• 27,000+ food pantry visits ensuring veterans have access to nutrition.  

• 16,000+ housing-related services supporting stability.  

• 7,600 mental health and substance use treatment services, addressing the root causes of homelessness.  

• 1,900 employment and education-related services offered.     

“The End Veteran Homelessness campaign is proof that when we invest in people, we see results,” said Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus. “By aligning housing resources with veteran services, we are setting the standard for how states can address homelessness effectively.” 

“That New Bedford has achieved functional-zero veterans homelessness is a tribute to the dedicated staff and volunteers at the Veterans Transition House, the City’s Office of Veterans Services, and an array of partner organizations, who take to heart President Lincoln’s call ‘to care for him who shall have borne the battle.’ I applaud the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s campaign to end veterans homeless statewide, which in its first year has already made permanent housing, behavioral health supports, and other service more readily available to Massachusetts veterans,” said New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell. 

Building on this momentum, Massachusetts is expanding housing options and support services to ensure that every veteran has access to stable, long-term housing. These projects are designed to provide not only shelter but also the resources veterans need to stay housed, from financial assistance to on-site services. 
 
“As the Executive Director of the Veterans Transition House, I wholeheartedly support Governor Healey's commitment to ending veteran homelessness in Massachusetts,” said Veterans Transition House Executive Director James Reid. “Every veteran who has served our country deserves a safe place to call home, and this initiative brings us closer to ensuring that no veteran must face homelessness. Together, we can create a stronger, more compassionate future for those who have sacrificed so much for our nation.” 

Residents, businesses, and organizations are encouraged to get involved by supporting veteran service providers, advocating for veteran housing policies, and spreading awareness about available resources. For more information on the End Veteran Homelessness Campaign, visit: www.mass.gov/end-veteran-homelessness.