Homeless Housing Grants
Homeless housing grants exist for individuals or families that lack a fixed nighttime residence. Families residing in transitional housing or emergency shelters typically qualify for help to obtain a permanent residence. Homeless veterans can call the National Call Center at 877-424-3838 to obtain counseling and housing assistance. Veterans can also connect with a housing counselor 24-hours a day on the Veteran Affairs website chat system.
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HUD-VASH
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The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing Program have created a partnership to provide a rental subsidy for homeless veterans. The HUD-VASH voucher pays a portion of the tenant's rent. The tenant is responsible for paying 30 percent of his income toward the rent. The veteran must agree to participate in case management services to ensure he can maintain his housing. The veteran's family is eligible to reside in the unit as long as the he remains the head of household.
Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program
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This program helps veteran families with housing expenses that will prevent homelessness or to obtain permanent housing. To qualify for help, the household's income cannot exceed 50 percent of the area median income. Also, the veteran must be the head of household. The family can get a one-time grant to pay for rent, a security deposit and moving expenses. The money goes directly to the third-party provider. The program also provides supportive services that include child care, transportation services and housing counseling services.
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Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program
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This program is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and provides $1.5 billion for homelessness prevention. Renters in danger of losing their housing, and homeless families who need housing, can get help with moving expenses and rental assistance. The program can provide rental assistance for up to 18 months. The grant money can pay security and utility deposits, utility fees and moving costs. Additionally, there are motel vouchers to provide transitional assistance.
Single Room Occupancy Program
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HUD's Single Room Occupancy program, or SRO, provides rental assistance to homeless individuals. This provides a single room with a kitchen or a bathroom. Property owners who make a minimum of $3,000 in repairs to convert a housing unit to an SRO for a homeless person, qualify to have the rent subsidized. The rental assistance extends up to 10 years. The tenant must pay 30 percent of any income toward the rent.
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References
- U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs; The Department of Housing and Urban Development and VA's Supported Housing (HUD-VASH) Program; 2010
- U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs; Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program; 2011
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program
- USA Today; Veterans more likely to be homeless, study says; William M. Welch; 2011
- U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs: National Call Center for Homeless Veterans
- Photo Credit the homeless image by Yuriy Rozanov from Fotolia.com
