HUD AND VA LAUNCH NEW DEMONSTRATION TO PROVIDE PERMANENT HOMES FOR NATIVE AMERICAN VETERANS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS
Tribal HUD-VASH to assist 600 Native American Veterans

WASHINGTON - For the first time ever, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are launching a demonstration program to offer a permanent home and supportive services to Native American Veterans who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness. The Tribal HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (Tribal HUD-VASH) Program will combine $4 million in rental assistance from HUD with case management and clinical services provided by VA to serve approximately 600 Native American Veterans.

HUD Secretary Julián Castro announced this new demonstration program during a speech to the 72ndAnnual Convention of the National Congress of American Indians in San Diego.

"Today, we open a new door of opportunity for our Native American Veterans who have worn our nation's uniform but who need our help," said Castro. "The evidence is clear that by offering permanent housing solutions, combined with needed services and case management, we can end homelessness."

HUD is inviting 30 eligible tribes to seek Tribal HUD-VASH vouchers to help house and serve an estimated 600 Native American Veterans who are currently experiencing homelessness or at extreme risk of becoming homeless. Read HUD's notice published today (https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/10/21/2015-26748/implementation-of-the-tribal-hud-va-supportive-housing-program).

Since 2008, more than 79,000 vouchers have been awarded and approximately 90,000 homeless Veterans have been served through the broader HUD-VASH program. Rental assistance and supportive services provided through HUD-VASH are a critical resource for local communities in ending homelessness among our nation's Veterans. This year, Congress authorized funding for a demonstration program in order to expand the HUD-VASH program into Indian Country and directed HUD to coordinate with Indian tribes, tribally designated housing entities (TDHEs), and other appropriate tribal organizations on the design of this program, and to ensure the effective delivery of housing assistance and supportive services to eligible Native American Veterans.

The Tribal HUD-VASH Program will provide rental assistance and supportive services to Native American Veterans that are Homeless or at risk of Homelessness living on or near a reservation or other Indian areas. HUD is making available $4 million in grant funding to Indian tribes and TDHEs to fund this rental assistance and associated administrative fees. Indian tribes and TDHEs participating in this program must partner with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide healthcare assistance to eligible Native American Veterans.

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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 http://espanol.hud.gov.

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