Summary: Despite spending $640 million on homeless programs between fiscal years 1987 and 1997, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has little information about their effectiveness. VA's homeless program sites routinely submit data about the clients' characteristics and site operations. Yet little is known about whether the clients remain housed or employed or relapse into homelessness, and VA's Northeast Program Evaluation Center has little information about whether its programs are more beneficial than other strategies for helping the homeless. GAO recommends that VA undertake program evaluations to clarify the effectiveness of its homeless initiatives and to obtain information on how to improve them. Where appropriate, VA should make decisions about the type of data needed and the methods to be used in coordination with other federal agencies that have homeless programs. VA is trying to develop a comprehensive continuum of care for the homeless, which experts agree should include a range of housing and service alternatives, with specific approaches at any one site reflecting local needs and local resources. Housing options should include emergency shelter, transitional housing, and permanent housing all linked to support services. Treatment programs should include options suitable for mentally ill, substance abusing, dually diagnosed, and convalescent persons. The available research includes some promising approaches. Experts also note that attention to the individual's preferences is important and that flexibility is needed in serving individuals and in arranging partnerships among organizations.
