Grant to aid homeless veterans housing

The Housing Authority of the City of Yuma (HACY) was recently given a grant to provide permanent housing and support to homeless veterans in the local area.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded HACY with vouchers to provide housing opportunities to homeless veterans in Yuma County. HACY officials reported that the funding came from HUD's Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program (HUD-VASH), as a coordinated effort by HUD, Veterans Affairs and local housing agencies.

“In 2012, HUD committed to providing $1.6 million to public housing agencies of Arizona to supply permanent housing and case management for homeless veterans in the state,” HACY officials said.

“The HUD-VASH program consists of both rental assistance and comprehensive case management by VA staff. A veteran participant of the HUD-VASH program will rent a privately owned property and usually contribute no more than 30 percent of their income toward rent.”

Based on various qualifying factors, the VA will refer homeless veterans to HACY for the vouchers.

HACY executive director Michael Morrissey said that thanks to this grant, veterans will receive the services they need as well as a permanent place to call home.

“HACY is committed to providing veterans and their families with access to affordable housing and services that will help them move their lives forward. This is a small gesture to our brave men and women who risked their lives to protect our nation. Our veterans deserve a place to call home.”

For more information, call Loren Feureisen with the VA at 1-520-310-5316.

Sarah Womer can be reached at swomer@yumasun.com or 539-6858. Find her on Facebook at Facebook.com/YSSarahWomer.