Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing has been awarded 50 additional vouchers to help pay rent for veterans experiencing homelessness.
Issued by the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC), these vouchers which collectively hold an estimated value of $623,982, which will provide supportive services from the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
“More VASH vouchers mean more opportunities to help veterans move from the streets or shelters into permanent rental homes of their own with the supportive services they need,” SDHC President & CEO Richard C. Gentry said. “The San Diego Housing Commission looks forward to continuing to collaborate with the VA San Diego Healthcare System to have a positive impact on the lives of those who served our country but are struggling to get by today.”
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded the SDHC with these vouchers. Since 2008, the HUD has awarded 1,285 VA supportive housing vouchers.
The SDHC has served 307 veterans experiencing homelessness from Jan.1 through Oct.31 according to data from the San Diego Continuum of Care Homeless Management Information System. Of that number, 73 were active in shelters. A total of 89 veterans benefited from street outreach according to the data, 32 of which were still active as of Oct.31.
With assistance from SDHC and the VASH, households pay a predetermined portion of their income toward their rent, and SDHC pays the balance of the rent, up to the applicable “payment standard” directly to the landlord. Additionally, VASH receives clinical health and case management service.
The “payment standard” is the maximum subsidy payment that the voucher would pay for an apartment or rental house minus the portion of the contract rent that the tenant pays. The payment standard is based on the number of bedrooms approved for the family’s size and the community to which the family moves.
These vouchers were created through SDHC’s homelessness action plan, HOUSING FIRST- SAN DIEGO, which has created more than 9,800 housing solutions since it’s launch in Nov.14, 2014. This program provides housing solutions to address different needs, including homeless prevention and diversion, rapid rehousing, landlord engagement and assistance, and permanent supportive housing.
Ending veteran homelessness is one of three identified “goals within reach” identified by the Community Action Plan on Homelessness, adopted by city council on Oct. 24, 2019, for the city of San Diego.
