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HUD, VA program aims to help homeless vets

A new partnership between the departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development aims to provide housing and assistance to an estimated 10,000 homeless veterans across the U.S., Guam and Puerto Rico.

The Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program is funded with $75 million allocated to public housing authorities, allowing local officials to give out about 10,000 rental assistance vouchers specifically aimed at homeless veterans in their communities.

The housing authorities, who administer HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8), will work closely with local VA medical centers to manage the program. The medical centers also will provide case managers to eligible veterans.

“It is shameful that after serving our nation so well, some of our veterans leave their military life only to fall into homelessness,” said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan, announcing the program with VA Secretary Eric Shinseki. “Working closely with the Department of Veterans Affairs, we’re able to offer a permanent home, along with critically needed supportive services, to the very people to whom we owe so much.”

“No one, especially veterans who have faithfully served our country should become homeless,” Shinseki said. “This council’s work is critical to providing for those at risk and on the streets. This interagency partnership allows us to leverage our resources, programs, talent and experience to create viable solutions that will eliminate homelessness.”