As homelessness reached crisis proportion in the 1980s, homeless veterans began showing up in Volunteers of America emergency shelters across the nation in increasing numbers. When the US Department of Veterans Affairs initiated support for homeless veteran services in 1987, Volunteers of America quickly partnered, opening new housing and support services for homeless veterans. Today, Volunteers of America is at the forefront of the issue of homelessness for veterans - as a service provider and an advocate.

In Massachusetts, Volunteers of America has teamed up with the VA Boston Healthcare System to provide various critical services to at-risk and homeless veterans. Through initiatives such as, Operation Stand Down, Volunteers of America looks to do its part for veterans who stood brave and fought for this country.