HUD Funding Helps New York House Homeless Veterans

ALBANY, NY (08/31/2009)(readMedia)-- The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that it will be providing the NY State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) with more than $1.4 million in additional funding for a highly successful program that helps homeless veterans find the housing and clinical services they need.

HUD's Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program (HUD-VASH) is a relatively new and highly successful program that combines HUD Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance for homeless veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

In New York, DHCR utilizes local administrators in Westchester and Suffolk Counties to administer two VASH contracts - one in partnership with Montrose Medical Center in Westchester County and a second with the Northport Medical Center in Suffolk County.

DHCR was first awarded VASH funding in May 2008, and since then 63 homeless veterans have been housed in Westchester, and another 12 are in the process of leasing up. In Suffolk County, 30 veterans have been housed and another two are finalizing their leases.

Now, thanks to HUD's additional funding, DHCR will be able to provide housing to another 175 veterans.

"We are deeply grateful for the service and sacrifice by our nation's veterans and we must make every effort to help them as they struggle to avoid a life on the streets," said New York HUD Deputy Regional Director JoAnna Aniello. "This program is one opportunity to say, 'Thank You' and to make certain that we serve them as they once served us."

"I can think of no more desirable and worthwhile goal than providing permanent housing to homeless veterans," said DHCR Commissioner Deborah VanAmerongen. "To that end, I am delighted by our partnership with the HUD and the VA and our success in providing both housing and supportive services to these brave men and women. It sends a powerful message to the men and women currently fighting for our country overseas - that we do not take their service for granted."

Last month the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded $75 million to more than 150 communities and public housing authorities across the nation to provide permanent housing to approximately 10,000 homeless veterans.

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HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development and enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov.

DHCR is responsible for the supervision, maintenance and development of affordable low- and moderate-income housing in New York State. DHCR administers housing development and community preservation programs to partially finance construction or renovation of affordable housing, oversees the State's public and publicly assisted rental housing, in administers the rent regulation process for more than one million regulated apartments in New York State.