The goal of the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program is to provide Housing Choice (Section 8) rental assistance vouchers in tandem with case management and clinical services to homeless veterans, enabling them to lead healthy, productive lives in the community and avoid remaining homeless.

The program, which is run jointly by the U.S. Departments of Housing and Urban Development and Veterans Affair, has awarded Seattle and King County Housing Authorities just over $838,000 in vouchers to provide long-term affordable housing to eligible homeless veterans and their families. Seattle Housing Authority has agreed provide vouchers to 52 veterans’ households, and King County Housing Authority to 53.

Through outreach efforts, the Department of Veterans Affairs identifies homeless veterans for whom the VASH program may be suitable. Some of these veterans may have severe psychiatric or substance abuse disorders or both. Participating veterans will receive treatment and become medically stabilized prior to being issued vouchers.

The VASH program targets very-low-income veterans, people whose income is 30 percent of area median income. A VASH participant will have to pay at least $50 per month as his or her share of a unit’s rent. A participant must earn no more than 80 percent of the Area Median Income, which, for a single person, is $45,600. (A two-person household could earn as much as $52,080.)

According to the Veterans Administration, complications unique to the plight of homeless veterans have long been recognized by the Veterans Administration and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Intensive case management, timely long-term therapeutic interventions, and stable housing are the essential elements in providing services to this population, according to the Veterans Administration.

In addition to rental assistance and help locating available units, services provided to participants enrolled in the VASH program may include:

• In-patient hospitalization for stabilization
• Outreach and community-based case management services
• Stabilization, clinical and vocational services
• Continuing follow-up to avoid relapses
• Opportunity to participate in the Family Self-Sufficiency Program

Not every participant will need these services.

Eligibility for the VASH program is set by the Veterans Administration, which will have determined that an eligible participant:

• Is homeless (30 days living on the street or in a shelter)
• Has been discharged (any type but dishonorable)
• Demonstrates a period of stabilization prior to consideration for placement
• Demonstrates an absence of suicidal, homicidal, or threatening behavior
• Has had any outstanding warrants resolved
• Is mentally competent and physically able to live in the community
• Is not a registered sex offender
• Demonstrates an interest in changing his or her lifestyle and in returning to work or other socially productive activity.

The Seattle Veterans Administration Medical Center will refer eligible households to the Seattle and King County public housing agencies.

Veterans and others interested in learning more about the program should call Reginald Taylor, Veterans Administration Homeless Care Line social services assistant, at 206-277-6768.