HUD Supports Tennessee Veteran Services for those who Served

Howard Roberts (far right on stage) HUD Multifamily Specialist, assists veteran following the HUD Panel

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Knoxville, Tennessee Field Office; the U.S. Small Business Association (SBA); Veterans Affairs (Federal and State), along with over a dozen local public service organizations and partners, recently participated in the first annual veterans event titled "Services for Those Who Served" sponsored by the Chattanooga State College.

The event included panel discussions about opportunities in education, housing, and small business for veterans and information about the wide range of services available to veterans. Over 100 veterans were in attendance throughout the day. Also various booths were set up outside of the event to answer questions and offer additional information. Housing booths were staffed by HUD, the Chattanooga Housing, Chattanooga Homeless Coalition, and the City of Chattanooga.

HUD, along with other Federal agencies, funds programs to help persons who are homeless. Local homeless assistance agencies provide a range of services and assistance, including emergency shelter, food, housing counseling, and job training and placement assistance.

The following toll free hotline provides information to veterans seeking answers to housing questions. Additionally, the HUDVET website offers general veteran updates, as well as contact information for veteran service providers and federal, state, and city governments. HUDVET National Hotline: 1 (800) 998-9999.

HUD, in partnership with VA and DOL, recently implemented the Veterans Homelessness Prevention Demonstration (VHPD). Through HUD housing assistance, VA case management services, and DOL employment counseling, this three agency partnership provides combined services for veterans who are at a high risk of becoming homeless. All 5 communities participating in this demonstration were strategically selected due to their proximity to a military base, concentration of returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan, and availability of resources.

An essential tool towards ending veteran homelessness, HUD-VASH is a joint program between HUD and the VA. HUD provides housing choice vouchers and VA provides case management and outreach. This program targets veterans who are currently homeless.

For more information, please visit:

• HUD: HUD-VASH Page
• VA: HUD-VASH Page (www.va.gov/HOMELESS/HUD-VASH.asp)
• HUD-VASH Resource Guide (www.hudhre.info/index.cfm?do=viewResource&refererType=quickResourceSearch&ResourceId=4621)

Beginning in 2009 and ending in 2012, HPRP (www.hudhre.info/hprp/index.cfm) is a three year program funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The program provides assistance for all people (including veterans) who are either at a high risk of becoming homeless or are already homeless and seeking immediate, short-term housing. HPRP can also help veterans obtain or maintain a HUD-VASH voucher.

The Continuum of Care (CoC) homeless assistance programs are available to all subpopulations of people experiencing homelessness, including, but not limited to, veterans. A CoC is a local network of non-profits, governments, and institutions, which provide homeless assistance through funding awarded by HUD. In 2009, HUD housed over 13,000 veterans throughout these programs.

The following programs are CoC homelessness assistance programs (www.hudhre.info/VeteransAssistance/):

• Supportive Housing Program (SHP)
• Shelter Plus Care (S+C)
• Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation for Single Room Occupancy (SRO)

The Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) within the Department of Housing and Urban Development administers and enforces federal civil rights housing laws that ensure that all Americans have equal access to the housing of their choice. If you believe that you, a member of your family or a fellow veteran may have experienced illegal housing discrimination, the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity is ready to assist you. You can write or call a local office with your complaint. For a list of HUD offices near you, please go the website listed below. On our website, you can also obtain more information about anti-discrimination laws and services that are provided by our office.

Important Links:

VA National Call Center for Homeless Veterans (www.va.gov/HOMELESS/NationalCallCenter.asp)
VA Center on Homelessness among Veterans (www.va.gov/HOMELESS/NationalCenter.asp)
DOL Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program (www.dol.gov/vets/programs/hvrp/hvrp-bp.htm)

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