We are a community-based not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. We are dedicated to supporting nearly 3,000 homeless, low-income and at-risk veterans in the Bay Area every year.
Swords to Plowshares started with a single grant and a small office on Valencia Street. Now over 45 years later with an annual budget of $30+ million, we are still doing the same thing we set out to do — heal the visible and invisible wounds of war and prevent homelessness and poverty among veterans.
At Swords to Plowshares, diversity, equity, and inclusion drive our mission. We embrace these values to foster an environment where every story is respected and all individuals can flourish.
Learn more about our DEI initiatives
We understand the issues veterans face - including homelessness, unemployment, disability, and health - are interconnected and require wrap-around support.
Access to healthcare, counseling, critical needs, and a community of support is critical for veterans trying to turn their life around.
We believe that every veteran deserves a safe and stable place to call home, but we recognize that not every path to housing is the same.
Securing income through employment or disability income is key to restoring independence and dignity.
According to HUD guidelines, most of our veterans are considered low-income.
More than half are veterans of color;
41% are Black veterans.
On average, our clients were homeless for 3.2 years before seeking our services. This includes living in a car, couch surfing, and other forms of housing insecurity.
This includes post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI)
OUR LEADERSHIP
Manage 500+ units of affordable housing
Educate 1,000+ community professionals
Train 2,500+ attorneys in VA law annually
Advocate for veterans’ fair share of resources
Lead solution-focused coalitions at the local, state and national level
Year after year, Swords to Plowshares has been an excellent steward of private and public funds. We operate with significant dollars from public grants, but rely on the generosity of private donors who enable us the flexibility to serve veterans from all walks of life.