The VA’s Homeless Patient Aligned Care Team (HPACT) program delivers integrated primary care, mental health, substance use treatment, and housing services directly to homeless veterans at VA medical centers and clinics nationwide. At the Ralph H. Johnson VA in Charleston, South Carolina, this includes mobile medical units and telehealth to overcome barriers like lack of transportation, addresses, or support systems. These efforts align with VA’s Housing First approach, prioritizing stable housing to improve health outcomes and reduce emergency visits by up to 31% for enrolled veterans.​
Key Challenges
Homeless veterans often rely on emergency rooms due to isolation, no access to medications, or inability to attend appointments. Rural locations and issues like addiction or mental health exacerbate these problems, as noted by providers at Ralph H. Johnson VA. Substance abuse and recurring homelessness, as shared by veterans like Willie Stanley, compound health declines without targeted intervention.​
Program Features
- HPACT teams co-locate doctors, social workers, nurses, and counselors for walk-in care, including vitals, meds, triage, showers, and housing referrals.​
- Mobile medical units (MMUs) bring hospital-level services like preventive care and telehealth exams to streets, shelters, or rural areas, with 25 new units deployed recently.​
- Telehealth enables same-day video assessments using remote devices for full exams, enhancing rapid access.​
Local Impact in Charleston
Ralph H. Johnson VA has housed over 300 veterans permanently through HPACT and related programs amid high local housing costs. Services cover food, job training, addiction treatment, dental care, and justice reentry support via coordinators like Karen Miller. Recent successes highlight reduced homelessness risks through ongoing engagement.
