October 4, 2018
By Lauren Hernandez
More than 300 homeless veterans in the Bay Area and Central Valley could soon move into permanent housing with the help of a joint federal program, officials said this week.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs awarded $5.3 million for rental assistance and support services to various HUD offices in the Bay Area and Central Valley, according to HUD. The funds are expected to help 343 veterans get housing vouchers.
“We have few responsibilities greater than making sure those who have sacrificed so much in service to their country have a home they can call their own,” said Ben Carson, HUD secretary. “The housing vouchers awarded today ensure homeless veterans nationwide have access to affordable housing and the critical support services from the VA.”
The monetary assistance was provided through the HUD-Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing program, which provides rental assistance, individual case management and clinical services through the Department of Veteran Affairs.
The Santa Clara County Housing Authority received the largest amount of funding, garnering $2.8 million to provide 140 vouchers for permanent housing and services, HUD said.
The San Francisco Housing Authority received $343,723 for 21 vouchers.
More than 93,000 housing and services vouchers have been awarded and roughly 150,000 homeless veterans were served throughout the United States through the joint program since 2008, officials said.
Veterans participating in the program typically rent privately owned residences and use 30 percent or less of their income toward rent, officials said.
“When our neighbors answer our country’s call to service, we must answer their call when they return home,” said Wayne Sauseda, HUD’s deputy regional administrator.
Here’s how the money was disbursed in the Bay Area and Central Valley:
•San Francisco Housing Authority: $343,723 (21 vouchers)
•Contra Costa County Housing Authority: $284,891 (20 vouchers)
•San Mateo County Housing Authority, Palo Alto VA medical facility: $162,949 (12 vouchers)
•San Mateo County Housing Authority, San Francisco VA medical facility: $67,895 (5 vouchers)
•San Joaquin County Housing Authority: $116,648 (20 vouchers)
•Stanislaus County Housing Authority: $138,880 (25 vouchers)
•Marin County Housing Authority: $76,965 (5 vouchers)
•Berkeley Housing Authority: $248,181 (15 vouchers)
•Santa Clara County Housing Authority: $2,816,567 (140 vouchers)
•Pittsburg Housing Authority: $62,903 (5 vouchers)
•City of Alameda Housing Authority: $131,188 (5 vouchers)
•Alameda County Housing Authority, VA Northern California Health Care System: $278,986 (20 vouchers)
•Alameda County Housing Authority, Palo Alto VA medical facility: $209,240 (15 vouchers)
•City of Napa Housing Authority: $40,182 (5 vouchers)
•Livermore Housing Authority: $75,849 (5 vouchers)
•County of Sonoma: $51,983 (5 vouchers)
•City of Santa Rosa: $112,874 (10 vouchers)
•City of Vacaville: $43,805 (5 vouchers)
•Solano County Housing Authority: $40,118 (5 vouchers)
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