The social aggregate of veteran homelessness is a major national concern. The point-in-time (PIT) Count is completed every January by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to count how many people in America are without safe, stable housing that night. Veterans are included in the statistics.

The January, 2015 PIT count showed there were 48,000 homeless veterans nationally. The January, 2015 data is the most recent available PIT count, because the December 12, 2016 deadline for confirmation of point-in-time count data for both all persons and veterans was extended. Homeless veterans are prone to premature morbidities and death, and experience many challenges when attempting to seek healthcare.

The goal of the DNP project interventions is to enhance the participants' Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) knowledge. Using trauma-sensitive approaches will help to create a nonthreatening environment of care for this vulnerable population. When homeless veterans develop a trust with the staff, they are more likely to comply with seeking healthcare, and agree to temporary and permanent housing options in safe, secure settings.

A recent positive development for the homeless veterans in Delaware is the Delaware Center for Homeless Veterans that now has an agreement to purchase the former Layton Home in Wilmington, Delaware. A $10 million U.S. government grant will fund this housing for homeless vets. The plan is to renovate and turn the former Layton Home into the first center in the state contracted by the U.S. government that provides subsidized permanent housing specifically for veterans. The housing will be able to accommodate men, women and families. The funding includes plans for a social worker, financial planner, legal assistance and job training.