HUD Attends Veterans Stand Down Event in Albany

Veterans peruse information from government and community organizations at the Veterans Stand Down event in Albany County.

Every year, The Colonie, New York Elks Lodge #2192 sponsor the Albany County Stand Down where homeless and at risk veterans can receive free services from local, state and federal agencies to promote better heath and housing. This year HUD joined 35 other organizations to support the initiative to eradicate veteran's homelessness. Sharon King, Loan Servicing Specialist and Veteran's Affinity Group Liaison from the HUD Albany Field Office, provided attendees information on Section 8 and HUD-VASH, rental assistance programs the latter of which is targeted specifically to veterans. She also highlighted the FHA mortgage insurance programs that promote homeownership, and help homeowners to finance renovation.

HUD has funded nearly 400 HUD-VASH vouchers in the Albany area, and with the Mayors Challenge commitments of local leaders in Albany, Schenectady, Troy, Saratoga Springs, and Utica, Veterans homelessness has declined dramatically in the Capital Region. Over 350 veterans attended the event and feedback about the importance of the HUD-VASH program was overwhelmingly positive. Two HUD-VASH recipients stated they are ready to graduate from the program and purchase a home of their own. To learn more about HUD's efforts to end Veterans Homelessness, visit hud.gov/mayorschallenge.

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