The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), has awarded $4.4 million in Tribal HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (Tribal HUD-VASH) grants to 28 Tribes and Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHEs). This includes $1.0 million in expansion grants that will help house approximately 95 additional Veterans. The expansion grants were awarded to three existing Tribal HUD-VASH grant recipients and two new Tribal HUD-VASH grant recipients: Apsaalooke Nation Housing Authority and Fort Hall Housing Authority.
The Tribal HUD-VASH program provides housing and supportive services to Native American Veterans who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness by combining rental assistance from HUD with case management and clinical services provided by the VA.
“Our nation’s Veterans made the ultimate sacrifice and are more than deserving of a decent and stable place to call home,” said HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge in statement. “These grants allow Tribes to provide housing and supportive services to Native American Veterans and their families. Today’s announcement includes a strong expansion of this vital program that allows us to serve even more individuals in need.”
“It is exciting to see the growth of this program that serves American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans struggling with homelessness,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough in a statement. “The expansion of existing programs and inclusion of additional Tribal locations means that Veterans will have access to housing and case management supportive services close to home. These services reinforce the value of caring for our Veterans who courageously served our great nation.”
In 2015, Congress authorized funding for a Tribal demonstration program in order to expand the HUD-VASH program into Indian Country. HUD was directed to coordinate with Tribes, 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. Since its inception, the program has housed almost 600 Native American Veterans and has provided case management services to many more. Tribes will be able to reach more Veterans with today’s expansion of the program.
