U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is joining a push to fund the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program. HUD-VASH is a rental assistance program for chronically homeless veterans. It also offers case management and clinical services for enrolled veterans, helping them to address issues such as mental and physical health problems and substance use disorders. The program has provided over 100,000 housing vouchers since 2008 and has helped to halve veteran homelessness nationwide. Gillibrand is calling for at least $15 million for HUD-VASH to be included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 appropriations bill.
“Our brave veterans have put their lives on the line to protect us,” said Senator Gillibrand. “While significant progress has been made over the past 15 years, it’s unacceptable that after years of service to their country, so many end up on the streets. I’m pushing to include at least $15 million for HUD-VASH in next year’s appropriations bill. This program has a track record of success and needs sustained federal investment to keep doing its critical work. I’m proud to be joining 32 senators in this push and am committed to making sure each and every vet has a safe and affordable place to call home.”
HUD-VASH combines HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance program for low-income renters with case management and clinical services for veterans provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The program targets chronically homeless veterans, who often have severe mental and physical health problems and/or substance use disorders. Among the VA’s homelessness assistance programs, HUD-VASH enrolls the largest number and percentage of veterans who have experienced long-term or repeated homelessness.
More information about the HUD-VASH program is available here.
The full text of Senator Gillibrand’s letter to Senate appropriators is available here or below:
Dear Chairman Schatz and Ranking Member Hyde-Smith:
As the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) Subcommittee finalizes its Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 appropriations bill, we encourage you to support those who have defended our freedom by funding the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Veterans Affairs and Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program at or above the FY 2024 enacted level.
HUD-VASH combines HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance program for low income renters with case management and clinical services for veterans provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The program targets chronically homeless veterans who often have severe mental and physical health problems, and/or substance use disorders. Frequent emergency room visits, multiple treatment attempts, and limited access to social support increase the barriers for homeless veterans to obtaining permanent, stable housing. Among the VA’s homeless assistance programs, HUD-VASH enrolls the largest number and percentage of veterans who have experienced long-term or repeated homelessness.
Due to its focus on chronic homelessness, the HUD-VASH program has been highly successful in helping our nation’s veterans escape homelessness, combining housing assistance and supportive services into one resource. Since 2008, HUD has awarded over 100,000 HUDVASH vouchers through public housing agencies across the country, and this investment has paid dividends: since 2009, the number of veterans experiencing homelessness has been reduced by 52 percent. However, without sustained federal investment, these trends are at risk of reversing. According to HUD’s 2023 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress, from 2022 to 2023, the total number of veterans experiencing homelessness increased by 7 percent. This increase included a three percent increase in veterans experiencing sheltered homelessness and a 14 percent increase in unsheltered veterans.
HUD-VASH vouchers ensure that women and men in uniform who have sacrificed so much for our country have a stable place to call home and the supportive services they need to heal and rebuild their lives. That is why HUD-VASH funding must be increased, or at least remain level, to achieve the goal of ending homelessness among veterans.
Particularly at a time of rising rents and housing costs for all Americans, including our nation’s veterans. We urge you to fund HUD-VASH at or above the FY 2024 enacted level. With steady or additional funding, public housing authorities can maximize the number of families served, and HUD-VASH case managers will have the tools to comprehensively address the needs of homeless veterans in America.