Veterans homelessness reached a record low in 2024, decreasing by 7.5% from the prior year. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, 32,882 veterans experienced homelessness on a single night in January 2024. This is down by 11.7% since 2020 and a 55.6% reduction since 2010.
Affordable housing developers, together with public and private partners, have been addressing the need by creating supportive housing communities across nationwide. Take a look at five developments completed this year, from Hawaii to Wisconsin, that are providing needed housing for those who have served the nation.
Dorset Place in Oklahoma City
Veterans experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness have a new permanent housing option in Oklahoma City thanks to the Oklahoma City Housing Authority (OCHA) and MAPS 4, a debt-free public improvement program funded by a temporary penny sales tax approved by voters in 2019. The investment in Dorset Place includes $1.9 million in MAPS 4 homelessness funds.
“MAPS 4 improves our city’s quality of life in new ways, and one of our greatest needs right now is affordable housing,” says Oklahoma City mayor David Holt. “This housing element within MAPS 4 also impacts the issue of homelessness because it is providing housing at that income level where people are right on the edge. I am very pleased that this specific MAPS 4 project is also directly supporting our veterans, as Oklahoma City is a patriotic community and the place where many veterans choose to settle.”
Dorset Place will provide 70 units in a building that was formerly an assisted living facility for seniors that OCHA’s nonprofit arm, Community Enhancement Corp., acquired. The first phase, which started to welcome residents this fall includes 37 units, while the second phase will comprise 33 units. Valliance Bank provided a loan for the property acquisition.
This is helping to meet the need, with Oklahoma City’s 2025 point-in-time count finding 132 veterans experiencing homelessness in January. Vouchers issued by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), partnering with Oklahoma City’s Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) office and administered by OCHA, ensure veteran households pay no more than 30% of their incomes for rent. In addition, meals will be offered daily and supportive services, such as case management and health care, will be provided on-site by HUD-VASH.
Hale Nā Koa ‘O Hanakahi in Hilo, Hawaii
The first affordable senior rental community for veterans opened in Hawaii this fall. Developed by nonprofit EAH Housing in collaboration with the Hawaii Island Veterans Memorial, Hale Nā Koa ‘O Hanakahi offers 91 one-bedroom units for seniors 62 and older earning between 30% and 80% of the area median income (AMI), with a preference for veterans and surviving spouses.
The community is the first phase of a larger master-planned campus, with future plans calling for a veterans center and an outpatient clinic to expand health care access and support services for veterans and their families.
Loosely translated as “house of the warrior,” Hale Nā Koa ‘O Hanakahi honors Hilo’s beloved ancient chief Hanakahi, known for bringing peace and prosperity, and the modern warriors who have served the nation.
Residents have access to many amenities, including a community center with a common area lounge, a coffee bar, and a fitness room. The community center also features a multipurpose room and a noncommercial kitchen for residents to gather and socialize.
“We are proud to offer these new residences for kupuna on Hawaii island,” says Karen Seddon, regional vice president at EAH Housing. “This project is a result of the collaboration and support from Hawaii County, the state, and our partners, and reflects our ongoing commitment to creating affordable housing opportunities across the island.
Financing for the $58.8 million development was provided by a variety of sources, including state and federal LIHTCs, Hula Mae multifamily bond financing, and Rental Housing Revolving Fund loans from the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corp.; tax credit equity from Enterprise Housing Credit Investments; permanent financing from Bank of Hawaii; and HOME and Housing Trust Fund funds from the County of Hawaii.
Additional support came via a long-term ground lease of the state-owned land.
MacArthur Field in Los Angeles
MacArthur Field adds 150 apartments on the Department of Veterans Affairs West Los Angeles Campus. Joining the 75-unit MacArthur Field A, which opened in 2024, the 75-unit MacArthur Field B serves veterans who have experienced some form of homelessness. It has 15 units for veterans with disabilities, 43 for those with extremely low incomes, 31 for those with very low incomes, and one manager’s unit.
Core Affordable Housing, LLC, is the developer, in partnership with New Directions for Veterans and property manager EAH Housing.
“The VA campus has seen a large uptick of new housing for formerly homeless veterans. We’re 150 units of 1,200 that is being built right now,” says Aaron Barger, senior director of project management at The Core Cos. “We are giving our veterans a new lease on life.”
Both phases have been sought after by the homeless veterans community looking to live on the campus because the units are more spacious one-bedrooms and there is a dog park, with many residents having service dogs. The buildings also feature elevators for those with disabilities. In addition, residents have access to a fitness center, walking paths, community garden beds, and grilling areas.
Serving 30% to 50% of the AMI, all units are supported by VASH vouchers. The approximately $40 million second phase was primarily financed with 4% low-income housing tax credits and bonds. Financing partners include National Equity Fund (NEF), Century Housing, California Tax Credit Allocation Committee, California Debt Limit Allocation Committee, California Department of Housing and Community Development, BMO, California Community Reinvestment Corp., Local Initiatives Support Corp. (LISC), and The Home Depot Foundation.
Phase B is expected to be fully occupied by the end of November.
Osborn Pointe in Phoenix
Developed by nonprofit Native American Connections (NAC), Osborn Pointe brings 48 units of supportive housing for seniors 55 and older with a veteran preference to midtown Phoenix.
The transit-accessible development includes fully furnished units with access to case management, health care, and employment readiness programs. In addition, it provides proximity to the VA, Phoenix Indian Medical Center, and NAC’s integrated health care services.
“NAC believes that stable, affordable housing is a core foundation for veterans—and our entire community—to rebuild their lives with dignity and independence, and Osborn Pointe encompasses that belief,” says president and CEO Trula Breuninger. “Veterans often face unique challenges—including housing instability, health concerns, and barriers to accessing support—and our mission is to ensure they have a place where they are honored, supported, and empowered to thrive. By offering affordable, service-enriched housing, we not only help veterans regain stability and independence, but also create a strong, caring community that recognizes and values their sacrifices.”
The $24.4 million development is funded through 9% housing tax credits with NEF as the syndicator. Other financing partners include Wells Fargo, the city of Phoenix, Arizona Department of Housing, HUD, Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, LISC, The Home Depot Foundation, and Wells Fargo Foundation. In addition, predevelopment loans were provided by The Thunderbird Charities and Arizona Community Foundation. Seventeen units have project-based Section 8 contracts through the city, while 12 have project-based vouchers from the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System housing program through HOM, Inc.
Vets Place Central in Milwaukee
The Center for Veterans Issues (CVI) and The Alexander Co. have partnered to transform the aging building where CVI had been operating for nearly three decades. In addition to renovating the former hospital, which had included bunkrooms for the veterans CVI was serving, a new four-story addition was constructed.
The fresh Vets Place Central, which is set to start welcoming residents this fall, comprises 81 individual efficiency apartments as well as areas for communal living and socialization, such as a large dining room and kitchen. Of the 81 units, 68 have the VA’s Grant and Per Diem associated with them. CVI also offers other permanent programs and support for those who are at risk of losing their housing. The residential program staff work closely with the programming staff to ensure the veterans are getting the benefits they are entitled to.
“The building is really designed to promote communal living, which is what our veterans really appreciate about our program. Whey they want to have some time on their own, they can go into their own spaces. It gives our staff a nice work environment and an opportunity to bring in other programs from the outside,” says CVI president Greg Fritsch. “Our mission is to return them to independent living as quickly as we can.”
To make the $21 million development a reality, the team was awarded 9% housing tax credits in 2023 through the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority’s innovative housing set-aside, which was created to fund developments that employ creative housing solutions that meet the strategic priorities of the authority but may not qualify in other categories. Additional support was provided through NEF, LISC, National Housing Trust Fund, the VA, Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, and BMO. It also received support from The Home Depot Foundation, Milwaukee Tool, Kohler, Alliance Laundry, and Taskforce Uplift.