In the ongoing effort to end Veteran homelessness, the Adams County Housing Authority (ACHA) is putting the call out to all landlords to lease rental housing units to our community’s homeready Veterans. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today an award of 38 Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing vouchers to ACHA, bringing the total number of housing vouchers for Veterans in Adams County to 63.
The rental assistance announced today is provided through the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program which combines rental assistance from HUD with case management and clinical services provided by the VA. The HUD-VASH team is always available to discuss housing opportunities for homeready Veterans. The ACHA team stands ready to answer any questions Veterans, potential landlords and partner agencies may have about services and programs. If you are interested in participating in the HUD-VASH Program you may contact Ms. Brenda Mascarenas, Director of Housing Programs at 303-227-2080 or by email at Veterans@achaco.com.
August is Veterans Housing Month thanks to a proclamation signed yesterday by Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, in which he stated “communities across Colorado are making significant progress in the national effort to reach ‘Functional Zero’ by introducing long term, systematic responses designed to make Veteran homelessness rare, brief, and non-reoccurring.”
Speaking to the importance of landlord participation, ACHA Executive Director Mr. Donald May said “We are committed to working with our local landlords towards achieving this goal of ‘Functional Zero’, but we cannot do this alone. It is the responsibility of each of us to honor the commitment of our Veterans by giving them access to housing. Landlords who choose to participate will be given access to financial incentives and more importantly they will be recognized as industry leaders by helping to end homeless among our Adams County Veterans.”
HUD-VASH works in reducing Veteran homelessness because it provides funding for both the housing and supportive services that are essential for ending homelessness among Adams County’s Veterans. This program requires the participation of private sector landlords willing to lease a unit to a veteran. Veterans participating in the HUD-VASH program lease privately owned housing and generally contribute no more than 30 percent of their income toward rent. The difference between the Veteran’s contribution and the monthly rental payment is covered by a voucher paid to the landlord automatically at the 1st of every month.
About the Adams County Housing Authority
Adams County Housing Authority serves county residents for whom conventional housing is unaffordable. We assist individuals, families, seniors and persons with disabilities throughout all of Adams County, including the rural and unincorporated areas. It is the mission of ACHA to work in partnership with diverse communities, to promote economic self-sufficiency, to preserve and expand affordable housing opportunities, and to enhance the livability of neighborhoods in Adams County. Visit www.adamscountyhousing.com for more information.