The federal government recently changed a policy that previously disqualified some disabled veterans from receiving subsidized housing. This adjustment raises the income limit for veterans to qualify for housing assistance through the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s supportive housing program. Before the change, some disabled veterans receiving full disability benefits were deemed ineligible for subsidized housing due to their benefits being considered as income, despite needing housing assistance the most. This policy change is hoped to help homeless disabled veterans access housing and potentially reduce the 7% increase in veteran homelessness reported.
The policy change was made amid ongoing efforts to address veteran homelessness, particularly in Los Angeles, which has the largest homeless population in the nation. The Los Angeles Veterans Administration campus has been at the center of a dispute over housing for homeless veterans for years. The campus had been neglected over time, leading to an increase in homeless encampments. In response to this crisis, HUD announced a $20 million grant to improve supportive housing inventory.
The VA has committed to housing homeless veterans on the campus, with hundreds of units already open and more expected to be available in the future. Advocates hope that these efforts, along with the new policy, will help address veteran homelessness nationally. The VA reaffirmed its commitment to ending veteran homelessness, stating that they will continue to work towards providing every veteran with a safe and secure place to live.
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