No Veteran Should Be Homeless in NETN/SWVA

• While national veteran homelessness has declined in recent years, rural Appalachia continues to face unique challenges including limited housing inventory, transportation barriers, and reduced access to centralized services.

Regional Snapshot: 

• Estimated hundreds of veterans experiencing housing instability across NETN/SWVA 
• Many more at risk due to: 
  • Fixed incomes 
  • Disabilities 
  • Lack of affordable housing 
• Rural veterans are less likely to access services due to distance and awareness gaps 

Data Sources to Reference:

• VA-Mountain Home Johnson City, TN
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD PIT Count) 
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 
• National Coalition for Homeless Veterans

Unlike urban areas, homelessness in NETN/SWVA is often hidden. Veterans may be:

• Living in cars or campers 
• Staying temporarily with friends or family (“couch surfing”) 
• Residing in unsafe or unstable housing 

This makes accurate counts difficult—and increases the need for local, community-based solutions like Walls for Warriors.

Fewer Shelter, Fewer Resources:

Urban areas tend to have:

• Large shelters 
• Transitional housing programs 
• Multiple nonprofits 

In contrast, rural Appalachia has:

• Very limited shelter beds (sometimes none in a county) 
• Overburdened nonprofits 
• Less funding and infrastructure 

This creates a gap where veterans fall through the cracks—not because help doesn’t exist, but because it’s too far away or too limited.

Emergency & Crisis Support:

• Veterans Crisis Line (Dial 988, Press 1) 
• VA Homeless Programs 

Housing Assistance:

• HUD-VASH Program (Housing vouchers + VA support) 
• Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)  VOA Johnson City, TN

Local & Regional Help (customize over time):

• Local VA Clinics (Johnson City, Mountain Home) 
• Community Action Agencies 
• Faith-based housing programs

There are many ways to get involved with Walls for Warriors and support our mission. You can volunteer your time, make a donation, or spread the word about our organization. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of veterans.

• Tennessee (statewide): ~570 homeless veterans  
• Southwest Virginia + NETN combined rural regions: estimated 250–400+ veterans 
• Rural undercount likely 20–40% higher due to hidden homelessness

Northeast Tennessee (ARCH Region) 

County                                Estimated Homeless

Washington                        60-90

Sullivan                                50-80

Carter                                   20-35

Greene                                 25-40

Hawkins                              15-30

Unicoi                                   10-20

Johnson                                  5-15

Regional Total (NETN): ~185–310 veterans 

• Virginia (statewide): ~260 homeless veterans  

Southwest Virginia (Coalfield-High Land)

County                             Estimated Homeless

Washington                     25-40

Wise                                    25-50

Bristol (City)                    15-25

Scott                                   15-30

Russell                                15-25

Lee                                       10-20

Dickenson                        10-20

Tazewell                            25-30

Regional Total (SWVA): ~135–250 veterans 

Directory:

VA Departments (Mountain Home, TN)

Veteran Service Officers-VSO

Tennessee-Counties

 Washington      Sullivan     Carter    Johnson

    Unicoi     Hancock    Hawkins    Greene 

Virginia-Counties

      Abingdon    Big Stone Gap   Tazewell

SSVF

VOA-Johnson City, TN

VOA-Serving SWVA

Food Bank

Second Harvest Foods - NETN/SWVA

Veteran Organizations

DAV-Disabled American Veterans   

VFW- Find a post  

American Legion- Find a post

If you have any questions email: info@wallsforwarriors.org