The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA) approximately $42,000 in voucher funding to assist Richmond veterans experiencing homelessness. These vouchers known as VASH (Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing) will go to help five (5) veterans experiencing homelessness within RRHA’s service territory. This award is approximately a five (5) percent increase of the current voucher authority of RRHA.
In addition, RRHA is setting aside ten (10) housing units within communities that RRHA manages specifically for veterans experiencing homelessness. RRHA is working closely with Virginia’s Department of Veterans Services (DVS) to identify participants and find creative and sustainable ways to further reduce veteran homelessness.
“We couldn’t be happier about RRHA’s willingness to partner with us to serve the men and women who served this country in military service, and now, are in need of assistance themselves. We look forward to continuing to knock down the numbers of our homeless veteran population, until we can celebrate the end of veteran homelessness in the Commonwealth,” indicated Commissioner Daniel Gade of the Virginia Department of Veterans Services.
“This VASH award will help us do our part to reduce veteran homelessness by ensuring that 15 homes for veterans experiencing homelessness. RRHA understands the sacrifice given by veterans who served our country and fought for the freedoms that many of us enjoy and we want to do all that we can to give back to this important community,” said RRHA CEO Steven Nesmith.
According to the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, as of January 2020, Virginia had approximately 395 veterans who were experiencing homelessness. To date, RRHA currently has a HUD-VASH voucher utilization rate of 85 percent with several Veteran’s out searching for housing.
For more information about this and other RRHA programs and services, visit our website at RRHA.com. For general RRHA inquiries or questions, contact our call center at (804) 780-4200 or toll free at 1-833-750-7742 (RRHA). You can also view current and upcoming news, events and activities on our social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Linkedin.