Ending Veterans' Homelessness in New Jersey (Part one) HUD-VASH Meetings

James Callaway HUD-VASH Coordinator

The Newark Field Office has been working with various public/private homeless groups towards the goal of ending homeless especially that of the brave men and women who risked their lives to protect our country. Two weeks before the first of two scheduled join meetings of HUD, the VA, and the 5 public housing agencies responsible for the distribution of HUD-VASH vouchers we tragically lost our friend and colleague James Callaway who was also the HUD-VASH coordinator.

Driven by the memory of this caring man who only a day before his passing was bestowed two awards, one for his military service to his country including a tour of duty in the Viet Nam War and the other for over twenty-five years of service as an United States government employee, we pressed on to improve the working collaboration that provides housing choice vouchers and supportive services to homeless veterans in need.

On Monday, January 10, 2011 the Newark Field Office hosted a meeting of the 5 housing authorities that participate in the distribution of the special housing choice vouchers designated to the Department's goal of eliminating veterans' homelessness. In attendance were representatives of the following housing authorities: New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA), Jersey City, Long Branch, New Brunswick, and Paterson. Representing HUD was: Diane Johnson, Carleton Lewis, Eddie DePaula, Patrick Morris, Larry Taylor, Cephas Ward, and Richard Kotuski, also in attendance was El Jeffre Blackfoot-Bey a disabled veteran and participant in the HUD-VASH program.

HUD-VASH Program participants Christine Reece and El Jeffre Blackfoot-Bey, behind poinsettias, receive veteran honors with HUD veterans at the Newark Field Office award ceremony.

On Wednesday, January 19, 2011 the Newark Field Office hosted a meeting with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), representatives for New Jersey Continuums of Care, and 5 housing authorities that participate in the distribution of the HUD-VASH vouchers.

Discussion focused attention on the obstacles the PHAs are facing with regards to lease-up of their VASH vouchers, improving communications between the PHAs and the VA, and developing a better understanding of the programmatic nuances between HUD-VASH and HUD Housing Choice Vouchers.

The meeting ended with an understanding that both departments will work together and share information and participation in events and meetings whenever issues involving homelessness, veterans, and veterans are the primary concern.

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