FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, April 18, 2018

 

TRENTON – The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) today announced the award of 52 new Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) vouchers from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to serve homeless veterans in need of supportive housing in New Jersey. VASH vouchers provide rental assistance for permanent housing for veterans who are referred to DCA by Veterans Affairs Medical Centers, which provide supportive services to assist veterans in remaining stably housed. This award brings DCA’s total VASH voucher allocation to 884.

“The resources provided by DCA through the HUD-VASH program are critical for New Jersey’s most vulnerable veterans, many of whom are disabled and chronically homeless,” said Lieutenant Governor Sheila Y. Oliver, DCA Commissioner. “My staff and I, along with our state and local partners, remain committed to finding ways to help homeless individuals and families find permanent housing and supportive services.” 

“I am extremely proud to say that DCA has “graduated” 51 VASH households from a program we’ve instituted to identify participants who have stabilized in permanent supportive housing and no longer require a high level of supportive services, but still need assistance to pay their rent,” Lieutenant Governor Oliver added. “These households have transitioned to DCA’s permanent housing voucher program, allowing them to continue receiving needed rental assistance, and freeing up VASH vouchers and supportive services to serve more homeless veterans.” 

To date, DCA has awarded more than 3,600 vouchers to decrease overall homelessness in New Jersey. In FY 2018, more than $8 million will support the following homelessness prevention and shelter support services: 

  • 500 State Rental Assistance Program vouchers awarded in the Statewide Housing First Initiative, along with $250,000 in funding for supportive services: 
    • 425 for chronically homeless households who are frequent users of public systems and 75 for homeless veteran households.
    • An expansion of the program will provide an additional 100 vouchers to people who are long-term homeless and who have an opioid addiction. Vouchers are targeted to the six counties with the highest number of substance abuse admissions for use of heroin or other opioids: Atlantic, Camden, Essex, Monmouth, Middlesex, and Ocean.   
  • 50 vouchers awarded to Camden Coalition of Health Providers for chronically homeless households who are frequent users of hospital emergency rooms in Camden.
     
  • 50 vouchers awarded in 2016 and 100 awarded in 2017 in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF) for the Keeping Families Together Initiative, serving families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and involved with the child welfare system.
     
  • 100 vouchers awarded in partnership with DCF for the Youth At Risk of Homelessness Initiative, serving young adults who have aged out of the child welfare system and are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
     
  • 273 project-based Housing Choice Vouchers awarded to projects that will serve veteran households who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
     
  • 884 Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) vouchers administered for veteran households who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
     
  • $3.2 million awarded to six agencies to administer the FY18 Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program (HPRP) to provide assistance and stabilization services, including back rental payments, security deposits, case management and other assistance to families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Another seven agencies have active FY16 grants as well.
     
  • $2.602 million awarded to 19 agencies representing all 21 counties to administer the FY18 Homelessness Prevention Program, serving families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
     
  • $3.08 million awarded in FY18 Shelter Support Funds to 27 shelters and transitional housing facilities to support 1,068 existing beds and 31 new beds. 

DCA is a state agency created to provide administrative guidance, financial support and technical assistance to local governments, community development organizations, businesses and individuals to improve the quality of life in New Jersey. DCA offers a wide range of programs and services that respond to issues of public concern including fire and building safety, housing production, community planning and development, and local government management and finance.

 

CONTACT:
Tammori Petty
Lisa Ryan
(609) 292-6055