$151 million for HUD-VASH, $220.6 million for GPD in Senate bill

The Senate Committee on Appropriations and the House Committee on Appropriations have approved record funding for homeless veterans in their fiscal year (FY) 2011 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations bills. Most notably, these bills include $151 million for the Department of Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program – the funding equivalent of about 20,000 vouchers – and $220.6 and $218 million, respectively, for the VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem (GPD) program and program liaisons, which received $150 million in funding in FY 2010.

The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) has been advocating for a $200 million GPD appropriation since 2005.

In both appropriations bills, the President’s historic budget request for homeless veterans programs is met or exceeded, with about $800 million going toward direct programs to assist homeless veterans. Highlights from the Senate appropriations bill include: $10 million to provide family-friendly housing for homeless veterans on VA medical campuses, and $12.6 million for the Veteran Justice Outreach program. In the House appropriations bill, highlights include: $51 million for supportive services for low-income veterans and families.

For a more detailed overview of the Senate appropriations bill, click here.

For a more detailed overview of the House appropriations bill, click here.