Housing Works Awarded New Rental Aid for Homeless Veterans Helping 200 Local People Gain Access to Stable Housing

Housing Works, the affordable housing provider serving Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson Counties, has secured new, federally funded vouchers to help homeless veterans obtain quality housing, according to Kenny LaPoint, housing and resident services director for Housing Works.

The new vouchers will provide rental assistance from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program for homeless veterans who participate in case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and local outreach centers.

“These VASH vouchers will improve lives in the most fundamental way – providing safe, clean, permanent and affordable housing for homeless veterans,” said LaPoint. “Our goal is to help our nation’s service men and women and their dependents recover the dignity of having a place to call home.”

Every year since 2008, HUD and the VA have awarded vouchers nationally based on geographic need, the administrative performance of the public housing agency, the number of contacts with homeless veterans, and the ongoing care that veterans receive. The VASH vouchers, which can be redeemed on a monthly basis for rent by those who qualify, are administered by Housing Works, which has a long record of success in advocating for state and federal legislative action to address rural Oregon’s housing needs.

In 2011, collaboration between Housing Works, Central Oregon Veterans Outreach, and U.S. Congressman Greg Walden resulted in the awarding of 50 VASH vouchers for Central Oregon. The successful implementation of that funding resulted in an additional 10 vouchers in 2012. This year, the new award supplies 15 vouchers each of which may assist an entire family.

“The impact on Central Oregon’s communities is huge,” said LaPoint, who estimates that the growing voucher program is helping more than 200 individuals get into stable housing.”  He attributes the new award to the collaboration of the region’s social service organizations with Housing Works.

“Working with the VA, Central Oregon Veterans Outreach, ICON City and private donors, we have provided move-in assistance and household furnishings to help meet basic needs for veterans entering the housing program,” La Point said. For more information, contact LaPoint at 541-323-7419.

Housing Works is the leading affordable housing provider in Central Oregon, serving Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson counties.  Since 1977, Housing Works has helped provide housing services to thousands of low-income families as they work to move above the poverty line. The agency fulfills its mission, “Fostering Dignity through Housing,” through a variety of housing programs and affiliated programs including Families Forward, HomeQuest and the Family Self-Sufficiency program. Currently, Housing Works serves over 2,000 households through affordable housing partnerships, grant funding and federal contracts. Visit www.housing-works.org