HUD-Vash: Helping Homeless Veterans with Permanent Independent Community Based Housing

Department of Veterans Affairs New York/New Jersey Veterans Integrated Health Care Network 2

What is the HUD-Vash Program?

The HUD-VASH program is a collaboration between the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program to help homeless veterans and their immediate families find and maintain affordable, safe and permanent housing in the community.

The primary goal of HUD-VASH is to help veterans and their families successfully move out of homelessness. The program is designed to improve each veteran’s health and mental health and to enhance each veteran’s ability to remain stable, housed and integrated in their local community. This is done using HUD Section 8 “Housing Choice” rental assistance vouchers and VA’s intensive case management services.

Veterans who are admitted to the HUD-VASH program are assigned to a VA case manager for assessment and service planning. Assistance in obtaining the Section 8 voucher is also provided. Veterans continue to work with their assigned case manager for the duration of their time in the program.

Who is Eligible for HUD-VASH?

The HUD-VASH program is for veterans who:

*Are eligible for VA Health Services;

*Are currently and chronically homeless.

*Have a need for ongoing case management because of medical, mental health, substance abuse or other life problems that are now stabilized;

*Have some type of income to pay for their housing.

*Are motivated to improve the quality of their lives by working with a VA case manager and participate in activities that promote independence.

*Note: Veterans and immediate family members subject to a lifetime registration requirement under a state sex offender registration program are not eligible for HUD-VASH because they will not be able to obtain a Section 8 housing voucher.

How are Veterans Admitted to HUD-VASH?

Veterans who are interested in the HUD-VASH program should first contact their local VA homeless program.

A clinician will complete the referral paperwork and send it to the HUD-VASH Admission Team for review. The Admission Team will assess the veteran’s eligibility and need for ongoing case management.

If the veteran is admitted to the program, a case manager will be assigned to begin working with the veteran on a service plan and connection to needed resources. The veteran will also be assisted in obtaining a Section 8 housing voucher and in locating appropriate housing in the community.

Once housed, veterans can expect to have regular ongoing home visits from their VA case manager. The purpose of these visits is to help veterans maintain their housing by addressing problems as they occur.

There is no time limit for being in the HUD-VASH program. However, veterans who refuse VA case management may lose their Section 8 voucher from HUD.

Other Helpful Programs:

Healthcare for Homeless Veterans (HCHV)

This program provides community outreach, case management and a range of other services to help homeless veterans get back on their feet.

Residential Treatment Programs:

These short-term programs provide comprehensive rehabilitation. Based on their goals, veterans are assisted with meeting health and mental health need including vocational services, relapse prevention planning and developing skills for success community integration.

Compensated Work Therapy/Veterans Industries (CWT/VI):

These programs help veterans transition to employment after an extended absence from the work force by providing a short-term supportive work experience at local VA Medical Centers.

Grant & Per Diem (GPD):

This program allows VA to provide grants and per diem payments to assist public and non-profit organizations to establish and operate transitional supportive housing. Veterans can remain in Grant & Per Diem housing for up to 24 months.

Who to Contact:

Lauren Fafulas, LCSW

Donna Hudson, LCSW

MaryAnne Gravianno, LCSW

VA New Jersey

Health Care System

(908) 647-0180 x4090, x4631, x5974

Dennis Libert, LCSW

Robert Wenzel, LCSW

Nita Thaker, LCSW

VA NY Harbor

Health Care System

(718) 526-1000x(212) 686-7500×7706, (718) 439-4350

Jessica Berlin, LCSW

Betsy Wroblewski, LCSW

Nancy Pollock, LCSW

Bronx VAMC

(718) 584-9000 x3798, x1318, x1574

MaryAnn Kelly, LCSW

(631) 261-4400, x4538

Martin O’Connell, LCSW

VA Hudson Valley

Health Care System

(914) 737-4400 x2090

Disclaimer: This information came directly from the Department of Veterans Affairs New Jersey pamphlet, and I give them full credit for the information. Please call the above numbers for more information.