HUD AND VA ANNOUNCE VOUCHERS TO HOUSE HOMELESS VETERANS

Buffalo Field Office Lisa Pugliese, Congressman Paul Tonko, Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan, Troy Mayor Patrick Madden, Plattsburgh Mayor Colin Read, and Housing Authority Officials Accept Ceremonial Checks for the HUD-VASH Program

Standing side-by-side with local elected officials and partners at the Stratton VA Medical Center in Albany, HUD announced 28 HUD-VASH vouchers for five housing authorities in Albany and the Capital District. the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced $153,000 to five public housing authorities (PHAs) in the Capital District and North Country to provide permanent homes for 28 veterans experiencing homelessness. The vouchers will be allocated to PHAs in Albany, Schenectady, Troy, Plattsburgh, and Glens Falls. The supportive housing assistance announced 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 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.

"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 that New York has taken a national leadership role in providing Veterans with permanent supportive housing to honor their sacrifice."

HUD has funded over 375 HUD-VASH vouchers in the Capital District since the program began in 2007. 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. Learn more about the award and other funding announced in New York, or see local coverage of the event (http://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/capital-region/news/2018/06/11/hud-awards--153-000-to-end-veteran-homelessness-).

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