HUD, VA, New Jersey Mayors, Stakeholders Meet to End Veteran Homelessness

HUD, VA, New Jersey mayors and attendees gather at the Lyons, NJ campus of the VA Medical Center

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) New Jersey Field Office hosted a day of informational panels geared towards highlighting resources available to the New Jersey mayors and elected officials that committed to the Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness. The event took place at the Lyons NJ VA Medical Center on August 18.

The day-long session featured remarks from Maria Maio-Messano, HUD New Jersey Field Office Director; Julie Irwin, Veterans Affairs Homeless Care Line Manager for VISN III, and Elisha Harig-Blaine, Principal Housing Associate, National League of Cities. Three panels highlighted resources and best practices using HUD and VA programs, non-profits, and advocacy organizations.

Other participants at the Lyons VA Medical Center event included Brick Township Mayor John Ducey; Sheena Collum, South Orange Village President; Victor DeLuca, Mayor of Maplewood; Julia Orlando, Director, Bergen County Housing Health & Human Services Center and Member of the NJ Governor's Homeless Working Group; Blair Schleicher Bravo, CEO Morris County Habitat for Humanity; Carmine V. DEO, COO/VP of Clinical Services, Community Hope, Inc., and Jack Fanous, Executive Director, G.I. Go Fund.

HUD New Jersey Public Housing Director Sonia Burgos moderates a panel with HUD staff and stakeholders

HUD New Jersey Field Office Senior Management Analyst Carlton Lewis introduces previously homeless veterans that received HUD-VASH vouchers

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