A particularly concerning issue at BAVR is the city’s practice of requiring veterans without any mental health or chemical use diagnosis to self-identify as such in order to qualify for VA transitional programs. The GPD program, under federal law (38 U.S.C. § 2012 and Public Law 109 461), does not require veterans to have a mental health or substance use disorder to receive benefits they earned through military service. Forcing self-identification to access housing places veterans at risk, discourages honesty, and perpetuates a “culture of silence” that mirrors the reporting failures seen at the CLC.
Investigations at BAVR are often not conducted due to DHS security which prevents proper Veterans Affairs oversight of the program. Complaints about mismanagement, neglect, and unsafe conditions can take months to resolve, leaving veterans vulnerable. Poor documentation and inconsistent oversight further undermine accountability.
These systemic failures have measurable consequences. Only about 60% of veterans successfully transition to permanent housing from BAVR, while roughly 20% disappear from the program entirely. In contrast, GPD programs with trained staff and supportive environments, such as Samaritan Village in New York or Catholic Charities’ MANA House in Phoenix, achieve 70–90% successful exit rates, even without comparable federal funding. These disparities illustrate how leadership, program integrity, and adherence to protocol directly affect veteran outcomes.
The parallels between the St. Albans CLC and BAVR underscore the need for systemic reform. Veterans deserve safe, structured transitional housing with clear reporting procedures, timely investigations, robust documentation, and staff trained to respond appropriately to incidents. Policies that force veterans to self-identify as mentally ill or chemically dependent violate federal guidelines and put residents at further risk.
Restoring integrity to BAVR and similar programs requires strong oversight, independent audits, and a culture that allows both staff and veterans to report concerns without fear. Only then can GPD transitional programs fulfill their mission: helping honorably discharged veterans move from homelessness toward stability, independence, and safety.
