The Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System in Charleston, S.C., assisted over 300 homeless veterans in the Lowcountry with permanent housing during fiscal year 2025, contributing to a national record of 51,936 veterans housed nationwide by the Department of Veterans Affairs. This exceeded the previous year’s total by more than 4,000, driven by initiatives like the “Getting Veterans Off the Street” program launched in May 2025, which transitioned 25,000 unsheltered veterans into housing. Locally, the effort involved expanded staff, additional HUD-VASH vouchers for rental assistance, and partnerships for landlord recruitment amid Charleston’s high housing costs.​
Key Challenges
Affordable housing remains the primary barrier in Charleston and surrounding Lowcountry areas, exacerbating veteran homelessness alongside military service-related issues. LeJasmine Gary, Homeless Program Section Chief, emphasized that veterans face everyday financial risks amplified by their service history, stating one homeless veteran is too many.​
Available Support
Veterans can access help via the 988 crisis line or the Community Resource and Referral Center at 2424 City Hall Lane, North Charleston, offering outreach, temporary beds, and permanent housing programs. The VA urges community members with rental properties to participate in landlord recruitment efforts. Additional events like the 2025 Stand Down connected over 250 veterans with resources including medical screenings and employment aid.
