Resource Center

Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH)

In 2008, Congress reinvigorated the Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program by appropriating $75 million for 10,000 vouchers for homeless veterans. Congress’s FY 2009 budget includes appropriations for 10,000 additional vouchers. Thus, the VA is currently working with 240 public housing authorities to provide permanent housing to over 20,000 homeless veterans. Under the program, Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMCs) determine eligibility for the vouchers and provide supportive services to the homeless veterans. PHAs may reject a homeless veteran household only if the family exceeds income limitations or a member of the family is a lifetime registered sex offender. Advocates should work with PHAs and VAMCs to ensure that these vouchers are fully used. Below are materials describing the VASH program in greater detail.

Articles

NHLP, HUD-VASH Notice Reaffirms PHAs’ Obligations Regarding Issuance of Vouchers

This February 2009 NHLP Housing Law Bulletin article addresses admission and continued occupancy issues for the VASH program.

NHLP, HUD VASH: Long Neglected Program Brought Back to Life

This July 2008 NHLP Housing Law Bulletin article describes the requirements of the new VASH program.

NHLP, HUD-VASH Notice Guides PHAs in Project-Basing Vouchers

This April-May 2009 NHLP Housing Law Bulletin article describes HUD’s willingness to project base VASH vouchers.

Materials

New NHLP HUD-VASH Training Outline and Related Materials Now Posted on NHLP Website

The purpose of the HUD-VASH voucher program is to move homeless veterans and their families out of homelessness and into housing. The training outline describes the problem, identifies the funding, describes how the HUD-VASH program works, highlights the key differences between the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and HUD-VASH programs and suggests what advocates can do locally to maximize the benefits of the program.

Statutes and Regulations

VA HUD-VASH Handbook (2009)

HUD-VASH Operating Requirements

Power point presentation providing a clear overview of how HUD-VASH functions.

HUD-VASH: The VA’s Perspective

Power point presentation that outlines the VA’s policies regarding HUD-VASH.

Public Law 110–161, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008

Congressional language appropriating 2008 funding for HUD-VASH

Public Law 111–8, FY 2009 Appropriations

Congressional language appropriating 2009 funding for HUD-VASH

Links

HUD web site on the VASH program

The VA’s Homeless Veterans Website

National Coalition for Homeless Veterans

The National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty

National Alliance to End Homelessness