O.C. Housing Authority receives $927,747 to assist homeless Veterans

Press Release, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 22, 2011

Orange County Housing Authority Receives $927,747 to Assist Homeless Veterans Through the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program

The Orange County Housing Authority (OCHA) has been awarded $927,747 to expand its ongoing Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program (VASH). This funding, from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), is a coordinated effort involving HUD, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and local housing authorities to provide permanent housing for homeless veterans in conjunction with supportive services.

OCHA has been designated as one of 178 housing authorities nationwide to receive VASH funding this year. The funds will provide OCHA with an additional 75 Housing Choice Vouchers that are reserved for homeless single veterans or veterans with families. Under the VASH Program, the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Long Beach provides supportive services and case management to eligible homeless veterans and then refers the veterans to OCHA for rental assistance.

Qualified veterans receive a Housing Choice Voucher and are able to rent apartments, condominiums or homes from property owners who are willing to participate in the program. In addition, veterans will pay approximately 30% of their income for their portion of monthly rent and OCHA will pay the balance directly to property owners.

OCHA previously received funding for 70 VASH Vouchers in 2009 and 150 VASH Vouchers in 2010. The 2011 award will expand OCHA’s ability to assist a total of 295 homeless veterans and their families and will support strategies in Orange County’s Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness.

OCHA assists over 25,000 people per month with monthly housing assistance payments to approximately 4,000 property owners.

Veterans who are interested in the VASH Program should call the HUD-VASH Interest Line: (562) 826-8000, extension 2336.

Property owners who would like to rent to VASH veterans or other low-income households, should contact the Orange County Housing Authority Owner Hotline: (714) 480-2866.

For more information about the County’s efforts to end homelessness, please contact Karen Roper at (714) 480-2805.

CONTACT: Karen Roper (714) 480-2805

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