Cantwell Applauds Funding to Combat Homelessness Among Veterans
WASHINGTON, D.C. – November 11, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Senator Maria Cantwell applauded the Departments of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Veterans Affairs for awarding more than $300,000 through the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program to combat homelessness amongst veterans in Washington state.
“These grants are critical to ensuring safe, reliable housing and comprehensive support for those who’ve bravely served our country,” said Senator Cantwell. “Even one homeless veteran is one too many. I will continue to fight for programs that help ensure no veteran goes without housing.”
The HUD-VASH program provides housing vouchers and works with local housing and support groups to provide eligible homeless veterans with services to address the root causes of homelessness. The funding awarded today will help 41 veterans receive housing.
In Seattle, homeless veterans in urgent need of housing will be identified in partnership with the Veterans Administration for placement in ten designated VASH project-based voucher apartments at the Low Income Housing Institute’s McDermott Place, which currently serves 28 veterans.
“This HUD – VASH award means that we can get ten additional homeless men or women who have served our country off the streets of Seattle and into a home that is safe and warm,” said Andrew J. Lofton, Executive Director at the Seattle Housing Authority. “At McDermott Place they will receive respect and will be part of a caring community that offers a unique model of coordinated services to support them on a path to stability.”
In King County, 11 additional units for homeless veterans will be funded for the Multi-Service Center (MSC) Veterans Housing Project in Federal Way. The additional funding means all 44 units will serve homeless veterans.
“We are tremendously appreciative of Sen. Cantwell’s support of homeless veterans in Washington State,” said King County Housing Authority Executive Director Stephen Norman. “These additional HUD-VASH vouchers will get these veterans off the street into high-quality supportive housing.”
An additional 20 project-based vouchers will support the Filbert Road Veterans Housing in Lynnwood, WA. The Filbert Road will be the first permanent supportive housing for homeless veterans in Snohomish County.
“We are extremely pleased to receive the HUD-VASH award of 20 project-based vouchers to support Filbert Road Veterans Housing. This award was the final and crucial piece needed to ensure that Filbert Road residents receive the rental subsidy and VA services they desperately need to achieve and maintain housing stability and dignity,” said Bob Davis, executive director of the Housing Authority of Snohomish County.
Senator Cantwell has fought for to ensure veterans have every opportunity for success. Cantwell fought for expanded access to the GI Bill and Cantwell led the Senate in passing the “GI Bill for Life” so veterans will always have the door to higher education open to them.
