In a major move to address homelessness among former service members, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced a $42 million funding initiative through the Legal Services for Veterans (LSV) Grant Program. This program is designed to support organizations providing legal assistance to Veterans facing eviction, criminal charges, or denied benefits—issues that often lead to or worsen housing instability.
Selected organizations can receive up to $500,000 each, with funding support available for a two-year period from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027. The application deadline is July 7, 2025, at 4 p.m. ET, and eligible organizations are encouraged to apply early.
Legal support as a tool to prevent Veteran homelessness
The LSV Grant Program aims to fund a wide range of legal services that help Veterans overcome civil and criminal legal challenges—many of which are deeply intertwined with housing insecurity. The following legal areas are prioritized under this grant:
- Eviction defense and landlord-tenant disputes
- Child support and custody matters, including estate planning
- Disability and pension claims assistance
- Criminal defense involving warrants, fines, or license suspensions
The VA emphasizes that legal intervention at the right time can prevent a Veteran from becoming homeless or help them exit homelessness permanently. By resolving these legal roadblocks, Veterans can regain access to stable housing and employment opportunities.
Who can apply and what’s required?
The VA expects to award between 80 to 100 grants nationwide. The program is open to the following types of organizations:
- Non-profit legal aid providers
- Law school legal clinics
- Public legal services organizations
- Veteran-serving entities with legal capacity
Applicants must submit detailed proposals that include:
- The scope and type of legal services to be provided
- Specific Veteran populations and geographic regions served
- Staffing structure and anticipated caseload
- Plans for collaboration with VA housing programs and community partners
Proposals will be judged not only on legal expertise, but also on the organization’s ability to reach underserved Veterans and deliver measurable outcomes. Funding may be used for staff salaries, technology, case expenses, outreach, and other program-related needs.
Supporting a broader strategy to end Veteran homelessness
This grant builds upon the VA’s comprehensive approach to tackling Veteran homelessness, complementing programs like Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) and HUD-VASH, which focus on housing assistance and case management.
While these initiatives provide critical housing support, the VA acknowledges that unresolved legal issues often remain a major barrier to lasting stability. For instance, criminal records can block job opportunities, and disputes over benefits or child support can threaten financial independence.
The VA’s approach is to ensure legal services are part of the full solution, addressing both short-term crises and long-term barriers that prevent Veterans from rebuilding their lives.
Veteran homelessness by the numbers
According to the most recent Point-in-Time (PIT) Count conducted in January 2024, over 35,000 Veterans were experiencing homelessness across the United States. That number, while lower than in past years, remains a stubborn national challenge.
The LSV Grant Program is a key part of the VA’s strategy to drive that number down significantly. By equipping legal providers with the funding to offer targeted assistance, the VA aims to resolve preventable causes of homelessness at their roots.
Application process and next steps
Eligible organizations must respond to the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) by submitting all required documentation through the VA’s online grants portal. Applications must be completed and submitted no later than July 7, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. ET.
Once submissions close, the VA will begin its review and selection process. Award notifications are expected by September 2025, and funded legal services will begin on October 1, 2025.
To avoid disqualification due to incomplete applications or last-minute technical issues, the VA strongly advises applicants to submit well before the deadline.
A call to action for legal service providers
The LSV initiative marks one of the largest investments in legal aid for Veterans in recent history, and the VA is urging qualified legal organizations nationwide to take part. The department sees legal services as a critical pillar in its effort to end Veteran homelessness once and for all.
Organizations with a strong record of serving Veterans and a commitment to addressing legal barriers are encouraged to apply. With $42 million available, this grant represents not just funding—but a chance to make a real, lasting difference in the lives of those who served.