National policy change benefits Columbia area Veterans
COLUMBIA, S.C.– The Columbia VA Health Care System provides support for Veterans experiencing homelessness and refers them to public housing agencies that issue vouchers to eligible Veterans and their families.
The Healthcare for Homeless Veterans Program (HCHV) team, in part, canvases the streets to find landlords who will provide quality housing to Veterans. The VA team offers “no wrong door” to care, meaning you can access care through any support service via phone, a national hotline, or in person. The HCHV program provides wrap-around support services to ensure the Veterans and their families are taken care of.
“We are trying to make sure that the Veterans maintain that housing, then we connect them with the VA services like mental health, substance abuse, for women Veterans - getting them involved with women's services here at the VA,” said Amanda Bonner, HUD-VASH supervisor for CVAHCS.
“Sometimes some things are just as simple as taking them to food banks, making sure they have food for those that qualify for food stamps, helping them if they should fall behind in their rent payments. We reach out to those community resources to try to help them get their rent or utilities paid.”
Recently, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced important policy changes aimed at enhancing support for Veterans through the HUD-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program.
These changes are designed to increase the number of Veterans who can receive assistance and improve their access to supportive housing developments. This initiative reflects a national commitment to addressing homelessness among Veterans and ensuring they have the resources they need for stable housing and supportive services.
“No Veteran should ever have to experience homelessness, but when they do, they should not face barriers to getting help they deserve,” said HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman. “This policy change will ensure that Veterans who are receiving the disability benefits they earned through service and sacrifice can access the housing assistance and supportive services they need to resolve their homelessness.”
HUD’s longstanding policy had imposed restrictive income limitations that disqualified some Veterans from accessing affordable housing. By counting disability payments as income, the policy had prevented the most disabled Veterans with the greatest need from qualifying for housing.
Veterans experiencing homelessness often receive VA benefits due to an injury or illness from or worsened by military service. Before this change, these benefits were considered income when determining eligibility for certain supportive housing developments—causing some Veterans to exceed the income threshold for these programs. HUD’s policy changes will help more homeless Veterans with service-connected disability benefits gain access to these housing developments.
The HUD-VASH Program is a vital resource to house Veterans experiencing homelessness. HUD-VASH pairs rental assistance through housing vouchers targeted to Veterans experiencing homelessness from HUD with case management and other supportive services provided by VA. The new policy changes are anticipated to help decrease the number of homeless Veterans.
“Our commitment to ending Veteran homelessness remains unwavering,” said Oscar Rodriguez, Columbia VA HCS acting medical center director. “The new HUD policy strengthens our mission by providing additional resources and support to those who have served our nation. Our HUD-VASH program continues to be a lifeline for Veterans in need, combining housing assistance with critical healthcare and case management services. Together, we all ensure that every Veteran has a place to call home and the support they need to rebuild their lives.”
For more information, visit: https://www.va.gov/columbia-south-carolina-health-care/health-services/homeless-veteran-care/
Make the Call
Veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness—and their family members, friends, and supporters—can make the call to or chat online with the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans, where trained counselors are ready to talk confidentially 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It's free and confidential: 877-424-3838. For more information, visit https://www.va.gov/homeless/nationalcallcenter.asp