The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced new policy changes to assist more veterans in receiving aid under the HUD-Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program. These changes aim to improve access to supportive housing developments for veterans experiencing homelessness.
Previously, VA benefits received by veterans due to service-related injuries or illnesses were considered income when determining eligibility for certain housing programs. This often caused some veterans to exceed the income threshold for these programs. The new policies will help homeless veterans with service-connected disability benefits gain access to these housing developments. Additionally, HUD awarded $20 million to public housing agencies to enhance the HUD-VASH program.
“No veteran should ever have to experience homelessness, but when they do, they should not face barriers to getting help they deserve,” said HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman. “This policy change will ensure that veterans who are receiving the disability benefits they earned through service and sacrifice can access the housing assistance and supportive services they need to resolve their homelessness.”
The HUD-VASH Program pairs rental assistance through housing vouchers targeted at homeless veterans from HUD with case management and other supportive services provided by VA. Local VA medical centers identify homeless veterans and refer them to public housing agencies that issue vouchers. VA staff provide case management and other supportive services to help veteran households find, enter, retain rental housing, and connect with healthcare, employment, and other supports.
“The days of a Veteran having to choose between getting the VA benefits they deserve and the housing support they need are finally over,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “This is a critical step forward that will help Veterans nationwide – and bring us one step closer to our ultimate goal of putting an end to Veteran homelessness for good.”
HUD's expansion includes:
- Requiring public housing agencies administering HUD-VASH to set initial income eligibility for veterans at 80% of Area Median Income instead of 50%. Previously optional, this higher threshold is now mandatory.
- Adopting an alternative definition of annual income that excludes service-connected disability benefits when determining eligibility.
HUD has collaborated with the U.S. Department of the Treasury on this alternative income definition's effect on Low Income Housing Credits subsidized homes for HUD-VASH participants. Guidance on this issue is expected soon.
“Every veteran deserves a roof over their head, and the Biden-Harris Administration is doing everything we possibly can to end veteran homelessness,” said White House Domestic Policy Advisor Neera Tanden. “Today’s actions reflect President Biden and Vice President Harris’s commitment to breaking down barriers so every veteran gets the benefits they have earned.”
Revised operating requirements also grant PHAs authority for non-competitive awards of project-based contracts on VA facilities serving HUD-VASH families; approve Exception Payment Standards as Reasonable Accommodations up to 140% of Fair Market Rent; set separate minimum rent policies including zero minimum rent for participants.
In addition, $20 million was awarded in administrative fee funding across 245 public housing agencies in 43 states currently administering HUD-VASH. This funding encourages expanded housing search assistance, landlord recruitment incentives, security deposit help, landlord-tenant mediation activities among others.
Since its inception, HUD-VASH has helped over 200,000 veterans exit homelessness into permanent affordable housing—reducing veteran homelessness by more than 50% since 2010.
