April 29th, 2015

Heinrich, Udall Applaud Federal Funding For Homeless Veterans Housing Program

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 29, 2015) - Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) applauded the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) awarding $301,174 to public housing agencies in New Mexico to provide permanent supportive housing opportunities to veterans experiencing homelessness. A total of almost $65 million will go to agencies across the United States to provide housing and services for 9,333 homeless veterans nationwide. This supportive housing assistance is provided through the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program that combines rental assistance from HUD with case management and clinical services provided by the VA.

"Making sure New Mexico veterans have a roof over their heads is the least we could do to honor their courageous sacrifice," Udall said. "Veteran homelessness is a national tragedy, and it takes collaboration and hard work to make sure everyone who served has support to rebuild their lives. These new funds are one small step toward ending veteran homelessness for good, and I'll keep working to secure resources to help our veterans succeed."

"We must serve our veterans as well as they've served us and do all we can to eliminate homelessness. These new housing resources will help change the lives of our former service members and provide them with the assistance they deserve to get back on their feet," Heinrich said. "Few sacrifices are as selfless as those our military service men and women make in defense of this nation. We owe our veterans more than a debt of gratitude -- we owe them action in both our words and deeds."

The following New Mexico agencies were awarded federal grant funding:

City of Albuquerque Housing Authority -- $195,239;
Mesilla Valley Housing Authority -- $59,083; and
Bernalillo County Housing Authority -- $46,852.

The VA provides support services for participating veterans at VA medical centers (VAMC) and community-based outreach clinics. Every year since 2008, HUD and VA have awarded HUD-VASH vouchers based on geographic need and public housing agency (PHA) administrative performance. More information about the HUD-VASH program is available here.