The agency director is of a cabinet-level, the chief advisor to Governor and all department head regarding veterans services' policies, programs and procedures.

[5]:7 The State began making veterans service organization (VSO) grant appropriation in 1927 with one to the American Legion.

Two more VSOs, American Veterans of World War II and Korea (AMVETS) and the Marine Corps League were added by 1960 with 11 VSOs receiving grants and the Veterans of World War I receives a token amount.

[7] The agency was created when Governor Rick Snyder issued an executive order Jan. 18, 2013,[2] within the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs effective March 20, 2013.

[11] In July 2014, the agency started a hotline operation, Michigan Veteran Resource Service Center, similar to and in conjunction with United Ways' 2-1-1 telephone information system.

[13] Bradford "Brad" Slagle was appointed interim CEO of MVHS in November 2016 after Shanlian departed for the private sector.

[14] On February 18, 2016, a state audit was released; the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans was flagged with nine oversight flaws, some of which led to substandard care.

https://www.michigan.gov/dmva/0,9665,7-402-100108_95837_97632-251980--,00.html In 2019, the Michigan Veterans Homes was established by the Facility Authority and Anne Zerbe became its Executive Director.