Madison Mayor Paul Soglin and local U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) officials have been relying on a federal voucher program to help fight homelessness among veterans. They are also are asking the community to help an estimated 120 veterans who remain homeless.
Since 2008, the VA, along with U.S. Housing and Urban Development, has given local housing authorities in every state Section 8 vouchers that give preference to veterans. Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) vouchers are based on the duration of homelessness and the need for support of mental illness, substance use, or physical disability.
Ninety-two Madison-area veterans already have permanent housing through the program, according to Matt Heldman, a peer support specialist with Madison’s VA Hospital.
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“The majority we have housed are either Vietnam-era or peacetime directly following (the) Vietnam era,” said Heldman. “But we are getting veterans that are coming back now, younger veterans 23 to 25 years old.“
In August, Madison will get 23 more VASH vouchers. Soglin said that the support from a trade group for south-central apartment owners also helps. But, he said, both the vouchers and the trade group’s support can be strengthened with more affordable housing options to end widespread homelessness.
“We need to use an array of tools,” said Soglin. “And when we’re done with the veterans, we go on to everybody else.”
Federal housing officials say since the VASH program started, Wisconsin has received 595 vouchers. They paid for permanent housing of veterans in Tomah, Appleton, Racine, Madison and Milwaukee.
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