U.S. Housing and Urban Development Regional Director, John Carson, presented the Executive Director of Colorado Department of Human Services, Karen Beye, a grant totaling $1,004,270 at the Colorado Veterans Monument in downtown Denver.

HUD's Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program (HUD-VASH) in conjunction with the Colorado Department of Human Services and the Department of Veterans Affairs Eastern Colorado Healthcare System will provide permanent supportive housing and case management services for 210 eligible homeless Colorado veterans.

HUD-VASH's vision is "That no one who has served and fought for their country should have to live on the streets." "The program is a vital boost to the effort to provide housing for homeless veterans in Colorado," said Carson.

(l-r) Bill Kelly, John Carson, Nora Johns

Two veterans that benefited from the HUD-VASH program, Nora Johns, age 61 and Bill Kelly, age 65, shared their personal success stories at the grant presentation.

Bill Kelly expressed his gratitude to the HUD-VASH program for providing housing and the counseling services that helped him get sober. As a result, he has reconnected with his daughter after 20 years and is getting to know his granddaughters.

Nora Johns said, "I never thought that I would be homeless, but God's doing for me what I can't do for myself, and he's put all these people in my life to assist me."

• Veteran's Affairs Supportive Housing Program from the Colorado Department of Human Services (http://www.cdhs.state.co.us/shhp/Section-VASH.htm)
• Read the news release