REPORT TO THE NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL

Committee on Veterans (2026)

Part 7 — Vulnerable Veterans and Access to Services


Key Findings

  • The Department of Veterans Affairs Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Program is designed to serve all eligible veterans, including veterans transitioning from military service, incarceration, homelessness, and medical or behavioral health challenges.
  • Veterans entering transitional housing frequently experience complex conditions including:
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Service-connected disabilities
  • Physical injuries
  • Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
  • Substance-use disorders
  • Chronic medical conditions
  • Veterans with disabilities, LGBTQ+ veterans, and veterans living with HIV may require additional attention to privacy, safety, medical confidentiality, and equal access to services.
  • Recovery depends upon trust that personal information will be protected and that veterans can access healthcare and housing services without fear of discrimination or retaliation.
  • A successful GPD program must provide not only shelter, but a supportive environment that promotes dignity, stability, and permanent housing.

 

Veterans with PTSD and Disabilities

The VA Grant and Per Diem Program recognizes that many veterans experiencing homelessness arrive with challenges directly connected to their military service. These challenges often include PTSD, traumatic brain injury, physical disabilities, chronic illness, depression, anxiety, and other behavioral health conditions.

Veterans recovering from PTSD frequently require an environment built upon structure, predictability, and trust. Exposure to repeated conflict, violence, emergency responses, or instability can increase stress and make participation in recovery services more difficult.

For veterans with disabilities, transitional housing requires more than providing a bed. Successful recovery depends upon:

  • Access to VA healthcare
  • Disability benefits assistance
  • Case management
  • Transportation to medical appointments
  • Medication continuity
  • Independent living support
  • Housing placement assistance

The goal of the GPD program is to help veterans rebuild independence while addressing the barriers that contributed to homelessness.

 

Access to VA Services

A major concern identified in this report is whether veterans at Borden Avenue are consistently connected with the full range of Veterans Affairs resources available to them.

VA resources include:

  • Primary healthcare
  • Mental health treatment
  • Substance-use treatment
  • Disability claims assistance
  • Vocational rehabilitation
  • Employment programs
  • Peer-support services
  • Permanent housing programs

Reports from veterans identify concerns regarding limited transportation to VA medical appointments and limited connection to VA-based programs. This is significant because many veterans enter transitional housing specifically because they need assistance reconnecting with the VA system.

A GPD program should function as a bridge between homelessness and independence, ensuring that veterans leave with established healthcare, benefits, income stability, and community support.

 

LGBTQ+ Veterans and Safety Concerns

The GPD program serves veterans from every background, including LGBTQ+ veterans. For these veterans, trust and personal safety are critical components of recovery.

Many LGBTQ+ veterans have experienced discrimination, rejection, harassment, or reluctance to disclose personal information because of previous negative experiences. In a congregate housing environment, concerns regarding privacy, harassment, and personal safety may prevent veterans from fully participating in available services.

A transitional program must ensure that every veteran feels safe reporting concerns, requesting assistance, accessing healthcare, and participating in housing programs.

The ability to seek help without fear is essential to successful recovery.

 

HIV Privacy and Medical Confidentiality

Veterans living with HIV face additional concerns related to medical privacy and confidentiality.

Housing programs often require veterans to share sensitive information when applying for benefits, supportive housing programs, medical services, or specialized assistance. Protecting that information is essential.

Concerns regarding disclosure of HIV status or other private medical information may discourage veterans from:

  • Seeking medical care
  • Applying for supportive housing
  • Discussing healthcare needs
  • Requesting accommodations
  • Fully engaging with case management

For veterans pursuing programs such as HIV/AIDS supportive housing, confidentiality must be maintained throughout the process. Medical information should never become a source of stigma, isolation, or unequal treatment.

 

Equal Access and Veteran Dignity

The purpose of the VA Grant and Per Diem Program is to provide every eligible veteran an opportunity to recover from homelessness and successfully transition into permanent housing.

Equal access requires that services be provided regardless of:

  • Disability status
  • Medical condition
  • Sexual orientation
  • Gender identity
  • Age
  • Criminal justice history
  • Complexity of needs

The measure of success is whether each veteran receives the support necessary to achieve stability.

Veterans entering transitional housing have already experienced significant barriers. The role of a GPD provider is to remove those barriers by connecting veterans with healthcare, benefits, employment opportunities, community support, and permanent housing resources.

A recovery-focused environment is built on:

  • Safety
  • Respect
  • Privacy
  • Confidentiality
  • Equal treatment
  • Access to care

The report concludes that protecting vulnerable veterans is not separate from the mission of the GPD program. It is central to its purpose. Ensuring privacy, dignity, and equal access strengthens outcomes for every veteran and supports the ultimate goal of ending veteran homelessness through successful permanent housing.