The Valor House: Transitional Housing for Homeless Veterans

The Housing Authority of Salt Lake City and the Veterans Administration Health Care System opened Valor House, transitional housing for homeless veterans located on the VA Medical Center Campus.

The housing consists of 41 bedrooms and 61 beds for homeless veterans. The clinical/transitional housing will allow the veteran to stay in the program up to 24 months. The Salt Lake City Housing Authority will manage the housing and the staff of the VA Medical Center will do the clinical work. Services will include mental health and substance abuse treatment, as well as life skills and medical needs. The targeted population is any veteran eligible for VA services who is either currently homeless or in imminent danger of becoming so. Females, couples and individuals in wheelchairs can be readily accommodated.

Funding for the rehab of the facility was obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs $325,000, the Olene Walker Housing Trust Fund $175,000, U.S. Department of HUD CDBG grant to the Salt Lake City Corporation Housing Trust Fund $180,000 and American Express Centurion Bank $15,000. The construction budget is estimated to be $679,000.

The program is being built in two phases, with Wing C of Building 3 completed and open for occupancy. Wing C has 15 rooms with 34 beds. Entry fees begin at $330 per month. The rooms are private, two person or three person. Two meals are provided per day per person at the VA dining hall. Sack lunches will be provided for those who have employment or need to be away during the day. Residents can choose to participate in meals or not. Laundry facilities are available on site for personal laundry and the VA provides linen services. Wing D will have 24 private rooms with private or shared baths. This housing will be available beginning April 2002 (the housing will be used for Olympic Housing before that time). Entry level fees begin at $425 per month. One full size kitchen will be on Wing D where residents can make their own meals.