(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray,
Chairman of the Senate Housing Appropriations Subcommittee, announced that 25
housing vouchers worth $151,173 will be allocated to the Tacoma Housing
Authority to help local homeless veterans move into stable housing. The
vouchers are part of HUD’s Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program
(HUD-VASH program). Senator Murray provided $75 million nationwide to fund the
HUD-VASH program in a Senate spending bill last year.
“This is another critical shot in the arm for efforts to
get homeless veterans in Tacoma off the streets and into stable housing,” said Senator
Murray. “Each one of these vouchers represents a year’s rent for someone
who has sacrificed for our nation but is now struggling to find housing. For
too long homeless veterans have been forgotten heroes. These vouchers will help
us step up our efforts to provide all veterans with housing and the dignity
that comes with it.”
“We are very pleased to have these additional 25 housing
vouchers to serve veterans. Serving those who themselves have served is
particularly fitting,” said Michael Mirra, Executive Director of the Tacoma
Housing Authority. “We also appreciate the partnership and services of the
Department of Veterans Affairs that make this housing more effective.
Senator Murray has led this effort nationwide. It has been her vision,
her substantive expertise and her persistence that made this happen.”
Murray spoke about the need to continue the successful
HUD-VASH program at a Senate
hearing last month. Mike Brown, a formerly homeless veteran from Walla
Walla, attended the hearing, along with Stephen Norman, the Executive Director
of the King County Housing Authority.
Under the HUD-VASH program, Housing Authorities receive
vouchers that can be used for rental assistance in the local community. 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 is valued at roughly $7500 and 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.
Today’s announcement is part of an initial allocation of
$59 million of the $75 million total to be distributed to local public housing
agencies across 50 states and provide help to an estimated 10,000 veterans.
Senator Murray included the $75 million for this program in the 2010
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations bill which
she oversees and which funds the Department of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD).
Senator Murray is also a senior member of the Senate
Veterans’ Affairs Committee and the Veterans
Appropriation Subcommittee.
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