HARTFORD – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) applauded an announcement that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will release $60 million to public housing agencies for permanent supportive housing for homeless veterans. Nearly $500,000 will go to agencies in Connecticut to provide housing for 55 homeless veterans, many of whom live with chronic disabling conditions.

Murphy has been a leader in reducing the number of homeless veterans in Connecticut. After hearing of veterans living in the woods in Waterbury, Murphy assembled a working group of veterans, as well as federal, state, and local officials and immediately began working to secure more HUD- Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) vouchers for the state. Since then, more than 400 Connecticut veterans have moved off the street and into homes of their own.

“These new housing resources will be life changing.  No one should have to go without a roof over their head, but veterans in particular deserve a place to call home. One homeless vet is too many, andgiven all they have done to serve our country, we must provide them with the support they need. It’s great that Connecticut received this funding and I’m looking forward to seeing how these HUD-VASH vouchers will benefit our homeless veterans,” said Murphy.

This supportive housing assistance is provided through the HUD-VASH Program which combines rental assistance from HUD with case management and clinical services provided by VA. Since 2008, a total of 48,385 vouchers have been awarded nationwide and 42,557 formerly homeless veterans are currently in homes because of HUD-VASH. These grants are part of $75 million appropriated this year to support the housing needs of homeless veterans. Connecticut has 625 HUD-VASH vouchers currently in use.

Connecticut agencies that will receive this funding are listed below:

Recipient

City

Partnering VA Medical Center (VAMC)

Vouchers Awarded

Funding

Housing Authority of City of Bridgeport

Bridgeport

VA Connecticut Health Care System, West Haven Campus

15

$159,059

West Haven Housing Authority

West Haven

VA Connecticut Health Care System, West Haven Campus

15

$117,274

Connecticut Department of Social Services

Hartford

VA Connecticut Health Care System, Newington Campus

10

$85,482

Connecticut Department of Social Services

Hartford

VA Connecticut Health Care System, West Haven Campus

15

$128,223

 

Total

55

$490,038