In fact, Veterans Affairs Canada estimates that between 3,000 and 5,000 Veterans are currently homeless across Canada. These individuals do not lack resilience or work ethic. Many are navigating the compounding effects of operational stress injuries, barriers to healthcare, and social isolation, factors that no retraining program can resolve on its own.

Veterans’ House Canada understands the importance of supporting service members beyond their time in uniform. We are the only charity that provides permanent, affordable and supportive housing for homeless Veterans. A housing-first model. To date, this approach has helped more than 80 Veterans transition from homelessness to stability, reconnecting them with their communities, restoring their dignity, and empowering them to pursue fulfilling post-service lives. Building on this operational success at Ottawa’s Andy Carswell Building, we secured a 1.46-acre parcel of land in northwest Edmonton and are currently constructing another 40-unit permanent, affordable residence for at-risk Veterans.

The principle is straightforward: Veterans facing homelessness cannot meaningfully engage with employment programs, addiction treatment, or mental health services until they have a stable, safe place to call home. However, much of the current focus in both the public and private sectors remains on Veterans who are ready to re-enter the workforce. For Veterans sleeping in shelters or couch-surfing after losing housing, the immediate needs are safety, stability, and access to trauma-informed services.

It is a missed opportunity when essential support is unavailable at the moment it matters most. That is why we are calling for a broader, more holistic support ecosystem that recognizes stable housing as the foundation for well-being.

Canada’s defence and business communities have long supported those who have served. Now is the time to go beyond business as usual and invest in housing, wellness, and community infrastructure that provide at-risk Veterans with the fundamental tools they need to thrive. We are actively seeking corporate partners and defence-sector stakeholders to help expand our housing initiatives across Canada.

Veterans’ House Canada plans to expand our housing initiatives in Toronto, Halifax, and Victoria. To explore a corporate or defence-sector partnership please contact us. Every Veterans’ House we build begins with a partner who believes that housing is the starting point for everything else.