News Releases HOMELESS VETERANS: Senator Murray Announces Funding for Public Housing Authorities in Washington State to Provide Stable Housing to Local Homeless Veterans

Washington, D.C. – July 14, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chairman of the Senate Housing Appropriations Subcommittee and the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, announced that a total of 175 housing vouchers worth $1,072,950 will be allocated to public housing authorities in Washington state to help local veterans secure stable housing. The vouchers are part of the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program (HUD-VASH program).

“This is a great step forward in our effort to get veterans off the streets and into permanent housing,” said Senator Murray, Chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “These vouchers will provide critical support to veterans whose needs went unmet for too long, so that homeless veterans in Washington state will finally get the services they need and a permanent place to call home. HUD-VASH vouchers are a key reason why we are making real progress toward goals to finally end veterans homelessness.”

See a breakdown of voucher allocation below:

• King County Housing Authority – 38 vouchers worth $293,746
• Seattle Housing Authority – 37 vouchers worth $241,514
• Tacoma Housing Authority – 25 vouchers worth $145,581
• Snohomish County Housing Authority – 25 vouchers worth $158,496
• Walla Walla Housing Authority – 25 vouchers worth $105,309
• Chelan County/Wenatchee Housing Authority – 25 vouchers worth $128,304

Earlier this year, Senator Murray stood with other Democrats to oppose a provision in a Republican spending proposal that would have cut funding for 10,000 new housing vouchers that would keep homeless veterans off the streets next year.

“VASH vouchers not only provide veterans with quality affordable housing – by bringing the most vulnerable and wounded veterans off the streets– these vouchers literally save lives. Thanks to the efforts of Sen. Murray and our partnership with the VA, KCHA has already provided 165 veterans and their families with homes and a new lease on life. These additional vouchers are a critical next step if we are going to make sure that nobody who served our country goes homeless,” said Stephen Norman, Executive Director of King County Housing Authority.

“This award of VASH vouchers means that many of the brave men and women who have served our country will be able to move from homelessness to stability with a place to call home. We are grateful that Senator Murray continues to fight for this vital program that improves the lives of so many veterans,” said Lisa Wolters, Director of Housing Advocacy and Rental Assistance Programs, Seattle Housing Authority.

“I am very excited to hear about the opportunity to accept 25 additional VASH vouchers for Tacoma-area veterans. The need is great in our community and this gives us an opportunity to serve more veterans in need of safe, affordable housing provided in conjunction with Veterans’ Administration services,” said April Black, Director of Real Estate Management and Housing Services, Tacoma Housing Authority.  

 “The Housing Authority is really pleased to receive additional vouchers to help veterans in our County. Having the Veterans Administration service staff housed at our office has resulted in a great working relationship with housing authority staff that directly benefits the clients,” said Bob Davis, Executive Director of the Snohomish County Housing Authority.  

“We are excited about this opportunity to serve more homeless veterans in our community and strengthen our partnership with the Walla Walla VA Medical Center.  This resource would not have happened without the true dedication from Senator Murray about the importance of serving our veterans,” said Renee Rooker, Executive Director of the Walla Walla Housing Authority.

“We are pleased and honored to partner with the Veterans Administration Medical Center in administering VASH rental assistance vouchers to provide affordable housing opportunities to homeless veterans in our area,” said Alicia McRae, Executive Director of the Chelan County/Wenatchee Housing Authority.

Under the HUD-VASH program, Housing Authorities receive vouchers that can be used for rental assistance in local communities. The local Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facility then works on outreach efforts to identify homeless veterans who can be provided with vouchers. Each rental assistance voucher provides rental assistance for a housing unit for a homeless veteran and any family members. In addition to the rental assistance, local VA Medical Centers provide supportive services and case management to eligible homeless veterans.

Contact:
48 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-2621
Fax: (202) 224-0238
Toll Free: (866) 481-9186