The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced over $10 million in funding to provide rental assistance and supportive housing services to Native American veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness. This federal investment aims to ensure the health and safety of Native Americans and Tribal communities, highlighting HUD's ongoing efforts to expand affordable housing options for homeless Native American veterans.
"Expanding services for homeless Native American veterans to secure and maintain housing is a top priority," said HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman. "This significant renewal of funding today emphasizes our commitment to sustaining quality, safe, and affordable housing for those veterans across Indian Country who proudly served our nation."
Through the HUD-U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Supportive Housing (Tribal HUD-VASH) program, 29 grant recipients can offer rental assistance and supportive clinical services to Tribal veterans facing homelessness. The new funding will allow nearly 500 Native American Veterans to remain housed under the Tribal HUD-VASH program while also providing housing opportunities for more homeless Veterans.
"It is an honor to support Tribal efforts to end Native American Veteran Homelessness through the Tribal HUD-VASH program," said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Richard Monocchio. "Seeing firsthand the expertise and care with which this program is implemented is a testament to the proud legacy of all Native American Veterans who served and sacrificed for our country."
The HUD-VASH Program pairs rental assistance from HUD with case management and other supportive services provided by VA. Since its inception, it has assisted over 1,000 Native American Veterans nationwide. The program has significantly contributed to reducing veteran homelessness by more than 50% since 2010.
Native Americans are seven times more likely to live in overcrowded conditions, with between 42,000-85,000 individuals living with family and friends due to lack of their own homes. The Biden-Harris Administration remains committed to strengthening Nation-to-Nation relationships between the United States and Tribal Nations, advancing Tribal sovereignty, and addressing housing needs in Indian Country. The American Rescue Plan marked the largest direct federal investment in Indian Country's history, supplemented by additional record-setting investments through the President’s Investing in America agenda.
Further details about each awardee from this latest round of funding from HUD and VA’s Tribal HUD-VASH program are available.
