VHPD Program

This three-year pilot will provide an opportunity to understand the unique needs of this new cohort of Veterans, and will support efforts to identify, conduct outreach and assist them in regaining and maintaining housing stability.

This program is a partnership among the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Department of Labor (DOL), and local community agencies. As the lead agency, HUD has received $10 million dollars in funding to award grants for the provision of housing assistance and supportive services to prevent Veterans and their families from becoming homeless, or reduce the length of time Veterans and their families are homeless.

VA received $5 million in funding to provide and coordinate outreach and to ensure Veterans engage in VA treatment, services and benefits. Each local VA medical center has identified a VHPD team to work with the local CoC grantee, Vet Center staff and DOL. Although DOL has not received dedicated funding for this program, they will assist Veterans in gaining access to mainstream education and job training programs through One Stop Career Centers, Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program Specialists, Local Veterans’ Employment Representative Programs, and Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Programs.

VHPD is projected to provide services to over 1,200 Veteran families. Grant agreements were signed by the CoC’s and HUD in January 2011 and services started to be provided to veterans on April 2011. For more information, contact Rico Aiello, VA VHPD Project Coordinator, at Riccardo.Aiello@va.gov.