Program Description HUD-VASH is a joint program between the Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Veteran Affairs (VA) (Homeless Veterans). HUD provides Homeless Veterans with a Housing Choice Voucher Program, known as Section 8 Housing (Homeless Veterans). While the VA assists with case management and clinical services for veterans. The VA provides these services to participating Veterans at VA medical centers and community-based outreach services. The Housing Choice Voucher provides rental assistance so a Veteran can rent privately owned housing (Homeless Veterans). Section 8 of the Housing Act authorizes payment of rental housing assistance to private landlords on behalf of low-income households. Homelessness is more likely to occur in Veterans due to many different reasons. Veterans are more likely to have; mental health disorders, histories or issues with substance abuse, experience with traumatic injuries & PTSD, and low socioeconomic status. All of which put Veterans at higher risk for homelessness. (Fact Sheet, 2015) …show more content…
In 2014 it was reported 49,933 Veterans were homeless. This is only 8.6% of the homeless population, before the use of HUD-VASH Veterans accounted for 67.4% of the homeless population, marking huge leaps forward in the efforts to end Veteran homelessness. (Fact Sheet, 2015) HUD-VASH was originally created in 1992 but did not gain support until 2007 (Driscoll). Congress added an abundant amount of funding or the program after issues with Veterans returning to a low economy aroused (Driscoll). The program gained further support in 2009 when the goal of ending homelessness for Veterans was established. During this time VASH became more important within the program