HUD AWARDS MORE THAN $1,000,000 FOR 210 COLORADO HOMELESS VETERANS
Colorado Department of Human Services to provide permanent housing Denver's VA Medical Center will recommend families and provide social services

DENVER - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Regional Director John Carson announced today the Colorado Department of Human Services will receive $1,004,270 to provide permanent supportive housing for 210 homeless veterans in Colorado. Southern Colorado will receive 35 of the vouchers.

"This program is a vital boost to the effort to provide housing for homeless veterans in Colorado," said Carson.

HUD's Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program (HUD-VASH), funded at $75 million, will provide approximately 10,000 rental assistance vouchers to 129 local public housing agencies to assist homeless veterans nationwide.
HUD will link the Colorado Department of Human Services with the VA Eastern Colorado Healthcare System to
provide supportive services and case management to the targeted, eligible homeless veterans. The allocation was based on the number of reported homeless veterans and the proximity of the Denver VA Medical Center with the capacity to provide case management.

HUD will provide housing assistance through its Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program which allows
participants to rent privately owned housing. The VA will offer eligible homeless veterans clinical and supportive services through its medical centers across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Last year, VA provided health care to more
than 100,000 homeless veterans and other services to over 60,000 veterans in its specialized homeless programs.
The Bush Administration's proposed FY 2009 Budget seeks to double the amount of funding announced today to provide an additional $75 million to support the housing and service needs of an additional 10,000 homeless
veterans across America.

Local communities or "Continuums of Care" that receive HUD homeless assistance will work with local VA Medical Centers to identify eligible participants. The VA will screen homeless veterans to determine their eligibility. The
eligible vets will receive treatment and regular case management to retain the voucher. VA Medical Center case managers will work closely with local housing agencies to help participants find suitable housing. Participating local housing agencies will also determine income eligibility in accordance to HUD regulations for the Housing Choice Voucher Program.

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HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development and enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD programs is available on the Internet and espanol.hud.gov.