This article was originally posted on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development website.

In the ongoing effort to end Veteran homelessness, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and VA announced nearly $65 million to help more than 9,300 homeless Veterans find a permanent place to call home. The rental assistance announced today is provided through the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program which combines rental assistance from HUD with case management and clinical services provided by VA.

“Our nation has a sacred responsibility to support the brave men and women who served with honor, courage and distinction,” said HUD Secretary Castro. “These vouchers will help thousands of Veterans start a new chapter in their lives and build for the future. We look forward to partnering with communities to ensure that every Veteran can secure this opportunity and have a place to call home.”

Homeless“The Department of Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development and our federal and local partners should be proud of the gains made reducing Veteran homelessness,” said VA Secretary Bob McDonald, “but so long as there remains a Veteran living on our streets, we have more work to do. The vouchers made available today are a vital tool to making sure Veterans across the country have a home.”

Since 2008, more than 69,000 vouchers have been awarded and over 88,000 homeless veterans have been served through the HUD-VASH program. Rental assistance and supportive services provided through HUD-VASH are a critical resource for local communities in ending homelessness among our nation’s Veterans.

Additionally, Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness serves as a roadmap for how the federal government will work with state and local communities to confront the root causes of homelessness, especially among former servicemen and women.

In the HUD-VASH program, VA medical centers assess Veterans experiencing homelessness before referring them to local housing agencies for these vouchers. Decisions are based on a variety of factors, most importantly the duration of homelessness and the need for longer term, more intensive support in obtaining and maintaining permanent housing. The HUD-VASH program includes both the rental assistance the voucher provides and the comprehensive case management that VA medical centers offer.

Veterans participating in the HUD-VASH program rent privately owned housing and generally contribute no more than 30 percent of their income toward rent. VA offers eligible homeless Veterans clinical and supportive services through its medical centers across the U.S., Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

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4 Comments

  1. brian phillips May 10, 2015 at 11:48

    I am a current homeless veteran with a family and im trying to get help before I loose what little I have left. Im at a total loss for help and need assistance. Thank you

    • Megan Moloney May 10, 2015 at 18:02

      Mr. Phillips,

      If have haven’t already done so, please give VA’s hotline a call at 1-877-424-3838 to see if they are able to get some assistance to you.

  2. mseuno May 3, 2015 at 06:42

    You’d have to go a long way to find someone who was more proud and grateful for what our veterans have done for all of us. Jim Davis

  3. Clarence Walker April 21, 2015 at 11:51

    I am interested in renting, and or, buying a home. There are so many avenues. Which is the best course of action?

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