HACM INCREASES SUPPORT FOR HOMELESS VETERANS

April 23, 2015

MILWAUKEE - The Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee (HACM) will expand its support for homeless veterans following the award this week of Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) Program rental assistance vouchers by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HACM was awarded 20 additional VASH vouchers, bringing its total to 258 VASH vouchers.

HUD-VASH works in reducing veteran homelessness because it provides funding for both the housing and supportive services that are essential for ending homelessness for tens of thousands of veterans nationwide. Locally, the supportive services are provided through the Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in Milwaukee.

"Members of our nation's armed forces have served with courage and honor and should have a place to call home. We are pleased to move closer to achieving that goal by expanding Milwaukee's participation in the HUD-VASH program," said Mayor Tom Barrett.

"Each new VASH voucher represents another homeless veteran who will find housing stability and the support they need to build for their future. We are committed to being part of this effort to end homelessness among veterans in Milwaukee and nationwide," said HACM Secretary-Executive Director Tony Pérez.

In Milwaukee's HUD-VASH program, the Zablocki VA Medical Center assesses veterans experiencing homelessness before referring them to HACM for vouchers. Decisions are based on a variety of factors, most importantly the duration of homelessness and the need for longer term, more intensive support in obtaining and maintaining permanent housing. The HUD-VASH program includes both the rental assistance the voucher provides and the comprehensive case management that VA Medical Center staff offers.

Veterans participating in the HUD-VASH program rent privately owned housing and generally contribute no more than 30 percent of their income toward rent and utilities. VA offers eligible homeless veterans clinical and supportive services through its medical centers across the U.S., Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

To learn more about how VASH and other programs postively impact the lives of veterans, read this article.

HACM provides affordable housing options to more than 10,000 Milwaukee families, seniors and disabled adults. In addition, the Housing Authority works with its residents to help them achieve self-sufficiency through economic, health and social programs.