Legal Involvement Increases Homelessness Risk 6-Fold for Veterans

A new national study underscores the strong link between criminal legal involvement and homelessness among US military veterans, raising urgent questions about how best to support those most at risk. Using electronic health records from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), researchers examined the experiences of more than 74 000 veterans who received care in fiscal year 2022 and had no history of homelessness in the prior year. The findings reveal that veterans who had contact with the Veterans Justice Programs (VJP)—the VHA initiative designed to connect legally involved veterans with health and housing services—were 6 times more likely to become homeless within a year compared with their peers who had no legal involvement. While just 2% of veterans without legal involvement became homeless, the rate rose dramatically to 22% among those with VJP contact.

The study highlights not only the sheer magnitude of this disparity but also the factors that compound risk. Veterans who were legally involved were more likely to be younger, male, and from racial or ethnic minority groups. They also had higher rates of mental health diagnoses, substance use disorders, and histories of suicide attempts or opioid overdoses—all of which further increased their likelihood of homelessness. These findings align with prior research indicating that structural disadvantages, clinical vulnerabilities, and systemic inequities place certain groups of veterans at heightened risk. Black and Native veterans in particular were more likely to become homeless following legal involvement, echoing broader trends of racial disparities in both housing instability and criminal justice outcomes.

Although the VJP provides outreach at critical points of legal involvement, such as court, jail, and probation, the data suggest that existing interventions are not enough to offset the destabilizing effects of incarceration or other legal contact. One key barrier is policy: current definitions of homelessness used by housing authorities often exclude veterans who have been incarcerated for 90 days or more, even if they are released without a place to live. This technicality prevents many from accessing housing support precisely when they are most vulnerable. Veterans facing sex offense charges or registries face even greater hurdles, as housing options are often legally restricted or unattainable. Without early intervention and more inclusive eligibility policies, many of these individuals remain at risk of cycling between legal involvement and homelessness.

The study also points to the protective role of stable income. Veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 50% or higher were less likely to become homeless, suggesting that disability compensation payments help buffer against housing instability. Yet legal involvement can disrupt these supports; felony convictions may trigger reductions in disability benefits during incarceration, and reinstating payments after release can take time. Ensuring rapid reinstatement of benefits could play a critical role in prevention. Likewise, financial burdens such as restitution fees, fines, and supervision costs can deepen instability. Programs like the VA’s FINVET, which helps veterans manage finances and access resources for basic needs, may mitigate some of these pressures.

Taken together, the findings underscore the importance of shifting toward primary prevention of homelessness for legally involved veterans. This means expanding eligibility for housing programs, addressing systemic inequities that disproportionately impact minority veterans, and strengthening support for those with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Without these changes, a significant portion of veterans—despite their access to VHA care—remain at risk of losing stable housing after legal involvement. As the veteran population continues to age and diversify, policies that integrate justice outreach with robust housing and financial protections will be essential to improving health, stability, and overall quality of life for this vulnerable community.

Reference

Kelton K, Yu M, Singh K, et al. Risk of homelessness among veterans with and without criminal legal system involvement. Psychol Serv. Published online August 28, 2025. doi:10.1037/ser0000993