Over the past decade, veteran homelessness has declined significantly. But the ongoing shortage of affordable housing — more than 7.1 million units nationwide — threatens that progress. Veterans with the greatest barriers, including extremely low incomes or those exiting homelessness, are often left behind.

At the same time, landlords and property managers face their own challenges in a post-COVID housing market: fluctuating rents, changing vacancy rates, and uneven impacts across communities. Given their essential role in the affordable housing landscape, it’s clear that service providers cannot end veteran homelessness without working in partnership with landlords.

To better understand landlord perspectives, the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) conducted a series of in-person and virtual focus groups in 2024 with landlords and property managers of varying size, geography, and experience. These conversations revealed five key themes:

• Service providers often lack understanding of landlord perspectives, reinforcing an “us vs. them” dynamic

• Emphasizing tenant preparation before a lease is signed reduces complications and conflict

• Educating landlords about veterans, homelessness, and available resources is essential

• Providing ongoing support for both tenants and landlords improves outcomes

• Housing subsidies and programs are complex, and systemic gaps discourage participation and create confusion

These findings highlight both the challenges and the opportunities in strengthening partnerships with landlords. The full guide provides in-depth analysis of these themes, direct insights from landlords, and practical recommendations for providers. Thank you to The Home Depot Foundation for their generous support in making this project possible.

📖 Read the full Landlord Tenant Guide here