HUD AND THE VA TEAM UP TO HELP HOMELESS VETERANS FIND PERMANENT HOMES IN NEW JERSEY

NEW JERSEY - In an effort to end veteran homelessness, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today awarded more than $568,000 to 2 public housing authorities (PHAs) and the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs to provide permanent homes for 62 veterans experiencing homelessness. The supportive housing assistance announced today is provided through the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program, which combines rental assistance from HUD with case management and clinical services provided by VA.

A component of the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, the HUD-VASH vouchers being awarded today enable homeless veterans to obtain affordable, decent housing in the private market. These vouchers are critical tools in helping communities effectively end homelessness among veterans. See local funding chart below.

"Our nation's veterans deserve more than a life on the streets," said HUD Secretary Ben Carson. "There is no greater responsibility than to end veteran homeless and to make certain that those who have served our nation have a home they can call their own."

"This administration's continued commitment of federal resources to end veterans homelessness is a sign of unwavering support for our military," said Lynne Patton, HUD Regional Administrator for New York and New Jersey. "I'm proud New Jersey has taken a national leadership role in providing veterans with permanent supportive housing to honor their sacrifice."

Veteran homelessness in New Jersey has fallen by over 28% since 2011, and two counties - Bergen and Middlesex - have declared an effective end to veterans homelessness. Verified by the US Interagency Council on Homelessness, the declaration means that every homeless veteran willing to accept housing has access to it, and stays in shelters average under 90 days for veterans who become homeless. The vouchers awarded today will help these communities continue to rapidly rehouse veterans who experience homelessness and return them to permanent homes.

HUD has funded 1,249 HUD-VASH vouchers in New Jersey over the last decade in addition to the award announced today. Rental assistance and supportive services provided through HUD-VASH are a critical resource for local communities in ending homelessness among our nation's veterans.

In the HUD-VASH program, VAMCs assess veterans experiencing homelessness before referring them to local housing agencies for these vouchers. Decisions are based on a variety of factors, most importantly the duration of homelessness and the need for longer term, more intensive support in obtaining and maintaining permanent housing. The HUD-VASH program includes both the rental assistance the voucher provides and the comprehensive case management that VAMC staff offers.

Veterans participating in the HUD-VASH program rent privately owned housing and generally contribute no more than 30 percent of their income toward rent. VA offers eligible homeless veterans clinical and supportive services through its medical centers across the U.S., Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

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HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and https://espanol.hud.gov.

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