Oceanside CA— The Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded the City of Oceanside 45 V.A.S.H. (Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing) vouchers for homeless veterans for 2016. This is an increase in the number of vouchers from last year.

The HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program combines Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rental assistance for homeless Veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). VA provides these services for participating Veterans at VA medical centers (VAMCs) and community-based outreach clinics.

The City of Oceanside received 40 vouchers last year as a direct result of lobbying efforts on the part of Deputy Mayor Chuck Lowery, City Manager Michelle Lawrence and other city staff members. This past February, the city lobbied again and was awarded an additional five vouchers. The success of the City’s Housing Department in placing homeless veterans into housing last year was a determining factor in this year’s award.
“The city has worked hard to identify and reach out to homeless veterans in Oceanside,” said Deputy Mayor Chuck Lowery. “It is a shame to have any people homeless in our community and we are working daily to assist those who need it. Our ability to reach out to homeless veterans with these resources from the Federal Government helps us to get closer to ending homelessness in Oceanside.”
The city will receive the vouchers in the next fiscal year and will begin work to place more homeless veterans into housing when it becomes available.