If two heads are better than one, why not try hundreds? This simple idea is why we decided to invite staff and partners who work with the HUD-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program to a series of brainstorming boot camps nationwide regarding Veteran homelessness to put the idea to the test.
The boot camps aimed to take the already successful HUD-VASH program to the next level to help even more Veterans find a place to call home more quickly and efficiently.
“The people we have the honor of serving need us as advocates,” said Sally Hammitt from the Greater Los Angeles VA. “When we can engage and interact around that Veteran in support of that Veteran, some pretty magical things can happen.”
Get an inside look at how the boot camps and the ideas that came from them will benefit homeless Veterans in a new behind-the-scenes video.
HUD-VASH provides vital support
HUD-VASH—a unique partnership between HUD, VA, and public housing agencies (PHAs) around the country—has been critical in the fight to end Veteran homelessness, which has been slashed by more than half since 2010.
Working with more than 750 local PHAs, HUD provides affordable housing vouchers for Veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness while VA offers support to the Veterans who need to get housed and stay housed. This includes counseling, health care, employment assistance, substance use treatment and more.
It’s the largest permanent supportive housing program in the nation, with more than 82,000 Veterans housed using HUD-VASH vouchers at the end of 2023.
How to set Veterans up for success
While the program is effective, processes can get a little unwieldy when two large government agencies and hundreds of PHAs are involved.
“These boot camps help us get out of our own way,” said Sally Hammitt. “We want the Veteran to succeed because we’ve had these conversations together.”
The 11 boot camps, held over the course of seven months, gave HUD-VASH staff and partners a chance to talk about what’s working, what’s not working, and how we can improve voucher utilization to house more Veterans.
Attendees homed in on recommendations to develop flexibilities and increase efficiencies in the paperwork that Veterans must complete to be eligible, support them through the application process and continue that support to maintain their housing.
Rhonda Staton, supervisory social worker at Palo Alto VA, went into the boot camps thinking her system didn’t have much to improve. But sitting down with other HUD-VASH staff who handle things in a completely different way, she was shocked to learn otherwise: “It’s hard to conceptualize how your partnership compares and if it’s creative or innovative at all until you talk to other people.”
The work ahead
We’ve already started to hear from communities that the lessons learned from the Boot Camps are making a difference. Veterans are getting help faster and staff are finding it just a bit easier to connect them to the safe housing that Veterans deserve.
But we’re not done. At VA, we’re working with our partners at HUD to evaluate local improvement plans, collate Boot Camp themes and provide targeted technical assistance to make sure this valuable resource is used to its fullest.
Learn about VA programs
- If you are a Veteran who is homeless or at risk for homelessness, call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-4AID-VET (877-424-3838).
- Visit the VA Homeless Programs website to learn about housing initiatives and other programs for Veterans exiting homelessness.
- Learn more about the HUD-VASH program.
- Check out the Ending Veteran Homelessness podcast to learn more about what VA is doing about Veteran homelessness.
- Learn how to get involved with housing homeless Veterans.
- Subscribe to the Homeless Programs Office newsletter to receive monthly updates about programs and supportive services for Veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
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Propaganda! The VA needs to stop feeding the public false information and man and have some accountability for mismanagement of tax payers money. HUDVASH is garbage just like every other VA program.
I personally don’t know a single veteran including myself that has had any real assistance from the VA with homeless or mental health treatment etc etc. I’m fleeing from a DV situation and have been in and out of the hospital for suicide and various other issues for almost two years. Initially I was referred to HUDVASH, then after my case was reviewed I was told I didn’t qualify because my 80 percent disability was too much.
The caseworker then directed me to the SSVF which was even more of a joke. The SSVF receives a federal grant to house vets in crisis so both programs are handled by civilian agencies the SSVF being a state non profit organization not sure about HV regardless I can say with 100 percent certainty that all the civilians I delt with in both agencies should under no circumstances be working with veterans.
Every single one of them (supposedly social workers) was lazy, unsympathetic, and had no sense of urgency and was generally uninterested in actually finding a solution or even doing anything really. I would love to work for one to these programs, it would be an honor to help my brothers and sisters in crisis especially knowing that they probably have no one, because let me tell you something NO veteran ever considered to the VA their first option when they need some kind of help. The VA is almost always the last option because vets know the likely outcome.
I’m wondering how many other veterans besides myself have went to the VA for help only to be routed through an endless loop of phone numbers and programs resulting in hours and days of waiting for callbacks or paperwork to go through and in the end being denied or told they would be added to a waiting list years long?
The VA needs to stop funding these BS programs, take ownership of them theirselves, reappropriate the funds and launch investigations into how and who mishandled federal funding. That would be a start.
My first comment was deleted-don’t know why.
My comment was about vet homeless and what the va refuses to do to help vets. I have tried several times to get an outhouse named hayley involved a program for vet homeless and vet suicide. Every time they refused. Not that they don’t know they don’t care. All those who are thinking of enlisting should know about this.
They even waste money by the pound to keep a medically qualified veteran from working at the outhouse hayley. This outhouse is spending money by the pound to keep a qualified vet from employment.
I could make a difference but the entire va refuses.
I have read comments and what a load. Proof that they va doesn’t care. An outhouse called hayley not only refused me employment despite my medical qualifications they wasted money by the pound to keep a trained veteran from employment at their outhouse. Better that that they blocked me from their page when i exposed them unpatriotic incompetent arrogance. I have made several attempts to get the va interested in programs for vet homeless and vet suicide. The outhouse and others said NO!. Not that they don’t know they don’t care. The va once again screwed a veteran-hhoorraayy! Ain’t they wonderful wasting money fighting to keep a veteran unemployed. Benedict Arnold had more integrity. The plans cover a very widescope for veterans. Like shingles the va doesn’t care. Any who think of enlisting need to know this.
You know what? HUDVASH needs to be revamped. I was in the homeless program 3 times. I worked for FS&N at Hines VA Hospital 15 hours per week, and still couldn’t get HUDVASH. They told me that I either had to be a drug addict, alcoholic or mentally unstable to qualify. I couldn’t afford fair market rent, living with my sister. Does that sound like fairness to you? I agree that Veterans should be housed, but if you need help, I shouldn’t have to have an addiction or mental instability to get it.
Rubix Las Vegas has Seven Cases filed since 2022. Four floors two buildings. Hud-Vash workers lie to Vets about It’s better to just leave and keep your voucher. Maintenance got caught entering my space 5/6. I cited NRS 118.500 to management. Anel Rojas called my Worker Renee. She lied for them. “You have five days to get out. I care about you. We’ll stick you in rehab.’ I’ve studied eviction law to help Vets. Landlords write fake Notices with 5-10 days and Workers put Vets in shelters.
DEMAND FULL AUDIT and FIRE CIVILIANS. Where do they put Vets that waive legal rights their sixty days? US Vets? Salvation Army? Hud-Vash Workers push Vets out in for non-eviction offenses. Our lease says, “Unless restricted by law.” My worker Renee said, “You’ll still lose your Voucher.” ALL VET PROPERTIES SHOULD BE MILITARY OWNED, CONTROLLED, and OPERATED. 2015 Obama/Biden paid their greedy friends to convert Hotels. Vets have NEVER benefitted or been safe. I’m on day 45 after the five days warning. Trusting Vets sleep is dorms.
Audit Civilian Worker case loads. How many of their clients went to court? How many Vets used their Sixty Window to move comfortably? My Rent is 40%. It takes four months before I’m 60 days deliquents. Why put me in a Shelter after three weeks? Hud Vash Workers fake concern. Vets get “temporary shelter.” Owners get a new tenant, new deposit, and new clock. Helping Vets is not a Vacation. Make sure that EVERY Veterans get their day in Court. Legal rights like we fought for. Surrender and future housing promise is all Vets get offered. Or they are abused until the Worker finally makes them leave.
I hate the Hud-Vash Program. Wouldn’t wish it on anyone. However, if Homeless Vets finally get a legal team please contact me. Eight Years of HudVash I’m 5-1. To all my Hud-Vash “Real Men don’t leave early.” It looks like the next wave of Joe Biden Billions to Landlords. Pray for Justice. God Bless.
Veteran Homelessness is caused by Civilian HudVash Workers weaponized by Landlords. REQUEST FULL AUDIT OF HUD-VASH
Home Owners need to be taught about the Veterans’ Voucher (HUD-VASH).
They most certainly DO let agents ghost voucher-holders, VASH as well as S8! Some ads post no vouchers.
Ask yourself what kind of owner doesn’t trust they’ll get their direct deposit? One new to the US? One hiding income? Something more nefarious?
A quick investigation into who perpetuates the stigma of voucher-holders and lower standards of upkeep are revealed to be big-time realty jerks who run slums and love the vouchers- they know the new and current voucher values, have you sign a normal-priced rent, then they submit the RTA with maximum voucher value.
Now that we all know that, shop accordingly. Be very discerning with possible future issues when meeting an owner or viewing a home.
The Housing Authorities do not include the Voucher Holder in rent negotiations at all, ever.
When *my* local housing authority researches for a rent increase, they lie and tell me my re-eval is past due and are rude about getting th info *RFN*. Two weeks later, I’ll get a letter with a rent increase.
In 2020, my Housing Authority (Chicago) agreed to *increase the landlord’s rent by 50%* – that’s right, I paid for two apartments out of my voucher value. A basement, roach & moused-up dump that rained from the ceiling periodically, but no one was relocating during lock down…
Your voucher IS valuable.
My 2020 landlord made fricken bank via direct deposit, and he never cleaned the building once during lockdown. My current/new landlord is amazing, and so is my new place.
Granted, there are some who meet the undesirable description, so it’s up to each of us, through our own efforts, to find individual owners that we can forge a solid rental partnership with; not too close, not too far.
I always tell the Owner about any current incentives that come with my voucher, then follow with their ability to contact the VA if they were to ever have any issue with me and include the grounds for voucher loss and who to contact if they have issues. That allays their main concerns.
Why the focus on HUD-VASH specifically when it’s the associated programs like “Nations Finest” that ultimately need a massive overhaul? I was trying to work with N.F. back when they were called “Veterans Resource Center” being run by a guy named Marc Deal. They destroyed my life, broke my family to pieces, tortured me and other homeless vets for nearly a year at nasty little money grifting place called the BHC while I was being told by the VA Hospital that I was going to die before Christmas of 2015 due to the health complications that brought me in there in the first place. I spoke to Mr. Deal directly. He refused to do anything and they eventually sent me packing, still homeless. One of their agents, Denise McKay, lied about me in their records to protect a mistake they made which is still affecting me to this day and no one does anything and the agent is somehow not in prison despite all the evidence I’ve collected over the years.
(Obviously I did not die. The VA can’t even explain my recovery as they had no part in it. My doctor thought I was dead and couldn’t believe it when he saw me again a year later and 30 pounds heavier.)
The kicker is, my story is NOT even vaguely unique, and this is why veterans don’t trust these programs because other vets like myself keep sharing them.
If you fix the surrounding programs, you’ll draw in more homeless vets and HUD-VASH can do the rest on its own. Maybe focus on the areas that actually need attention?
We have a terrible problem here in NYC with a 45% increase in veteran homelessness since 2022. Yet, there are no events and no efforts to place veterans in sustainable housing. The NYC Department of Veteans Services is complicit and the Manhattan VAMC is intentionally preventing veterans from getting access to resources along with the GPD Program awardee, NYC Dept of Homeless Services. This is a coordinated effort at misconduct and misappropriation of VA funds with the full support of the Erin E. Johnson, Deputy Director VA Grant and Per Diem who has been aware of these abuses going back years.
HUD VASH along with the Veteran’s Court helped end my homelessness and years of drug and alcohol abuse and after 16 months they found an apartment for me. I have lived in it for a year and a half in North Las Vegas, Nevada. It’s a pretty decent two bedroom with a patio and enough space for me and Rusty my dog.
I’m homeless. I was given a voucher for housing. I went to the orientation meeting
across town.
Just to find out that the meeting was changed to another location. I was too late., by the time it took me to pedal my bike there. They told me that they would contact me for the next orientation meeting. I’ve heard nothing… I’m 61 years old tomorrow the 27th. I live on the street I hurt I suffer a lot of pain all the time I need help please.????
### Enhancing VA Housing Assistance: Advocacy and Support
Establishing an Advocacy Branch within the VA Housing Assistance and Home Loans Department
Dear VA Community,
I propose the creation of an advocacy branch within the VA Housing Assistance and Home Loans Department. This new branch would partner with veterans who are professionals in the fields of social work, real estate, and other housing-related careers. The goal is to ensure veterans’ rights and benefits are protected throughout the home-buying process.
Key Functions of the Advocacy Branch:
1. Active Involvement in Home Buying: The advocacy group would assist veterans by reviewing their home-buying processes, offering guidance, and ensuring transparency.
2. Support and Representation: By collaborating with social workers, realtors, and housing professionals, the branch would provide essential manpower and expertise, safeguarding veterans from fraud and rights violations.
3. Education and Resources: Providing veterans with accurate information about VA guidelines, helping them understand their rights, and offering resources to navigate the housing market effectively.
My Personal Experience:
As a veteran actively searching for a home, I will be homeless in 45 days when my rental lease expires. Despite my efforts, I’ve encountered significant challenges:
– Realtor and Lender Issues: I’ve had to contact multiple realtors to represent me as a buyer, but many lenders seem more motivated to exploit the system for financial gain than to help veterans find homes.
– Misleading Information: Realtors and lenders have often cited VA guidelines to justify restrictions on homes or loans without providing accurate references. Upon investigating, I discovered much of this information was fabricated for their benefit.
– Challenges Without a Realtor: Attempting to buy a home without a realtor, I’ve faced difficulties finding lawyers to represent me, unresponsive seller agents, and limited access to MLS information. The lack of transparency and access to data in the housing industry poses significant barriers.
Advocacy Branch Benefits:
– Enhanced Support: Veterans would have dedicated advocates ensuring their rights and benefits are upheld.
– Clear Communication: The advocacy branch would provide clear, accurate information about VA guidelines and the home-buying process.
– Transparency in Housing: Increased access to housing data and resources would help veterans make informed decisions.
In Conclusion: Establishing an advocacy branch within the VA Housing Assistance and Home Loans Department is crucial for protecting veterans’ rights and facilitating their access to housing. By leveraging the expertise of veterans in related fields, this initiative can ensure a more transparent, supportive, and fair housing market for all veterans.