HUD AND VA TEAM UP TO HELP 78 HOMELESS VETERANS FIND PERMANENT HOMES IN VIRGINIA
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HUD NEWS FOR RELEASE: CONTACT: HUD AND VA TEAM UP TO HELP 78 HOMELESS VETERANS Norfolk, Va. – In an effort to end veteran homelessness, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced $693,962 will be awarded to 13 public housing authorities and agencies in the Commonwealth of Virginia to provide a permanent home to 78 veterans experiencing homelessness. The supportive housing 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. A component of the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, the HUD-VASH vouchers being awarded today enable homeless veterans to obtain affordable, decent housing in the private market. These vouchers are critical tools in helping communities effectively end homelessness among veterans. “Our nation’s veterans deserve more than a life on the streets,” said HUD Secretary Ben Carson. “There is no greater responsibility than to end veteran homeless and to make certain that those who have served our nation have a home they can call their own.” Today, Region III Regional Administrator Joseph DeFelice joined Hampton Veterans Affairs Medical Center Chief of Staff Dr. Priscilla Hankins in recognizing three housing authorities and two agencies for their good work in ending veteran homelessness in the Tidewater area. Each received awards of five (5) additional HUD-VASH vouchers to enable 25 veterans and their families who are experiencing homelessness to find permanent homes. Leaders from each organization were recognized and presented with “big checks” at a press event this morning at the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority offices.
“HUD-VASH has been an essential tool in effectively ending veterans homelessness in the Commonwealth of Virginia,” cited Joe DeFelice, Regional Administrator for HUD’s Mid-Atlantic region as he presented the awards. “Our partnership with the VA has been critical to helping Virginia become the first state in the nation to put systems in place to ensure veteran homelessness is rare, brief and non-recurring. Our veterans deserve housing that is safe, and affordable along with the supportive services they need to maintain their quality of life.” “Ending homelessness among our Veterans remains a top priority,” noted Priscilla Hankins, M.D. who serves as Chief of Staff for the Hampton VAMC. “Hampton VA Medical Center is grateful for all of the partnerships we have forged over the years with community agencies that have dedicated time and resources to making sure Veterans get the services they need. We look forward to continuing this very important work.” Nationally, more than 87,000 vouchers have been awarded and approximately 144,000 homeless veterans have been served through the HUD-VASH program since 2008. Rental assistance and supportive services provided through HUD-VASH are a critical resource for local communities in ending homelessness among our nation's veterans. In the HUD-VASH program, VA Medical Centers (VAMCs) 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 VAMC staff offers. 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 Island### HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. The Department’s Mid-Atlantic region includes Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and West Virginia. The regional office is in Philadelphia. Follow Regional Administrator Joe DeFelice on Twitter. More information about HUD and its programs is available at www.hud.gov and www.espanol.hud.gov. Connect with HUD on social media or sign up for news alerts via HUD's email list. Follow Secretary Carson on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
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