Apartment housing firms and associations are supporting their communities through programs that aim to alleviate homelessness among the nation's veterans.
In 2010, the Obama Administration set out to end veteran homelessness by the end of 2015. Veterans account for more than 10 percent of all homeless adults, with nearly 50,000 living on the streets on any given night.
In light of these staggering numbers and with the Administration's impending goal in sight, NAA is collaborating with the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH). Rental housing providers play a key role in opening up their units by participating in voluntary programs locally to house homeless vets. Many NAA members are already working with their local communities to aid in this effort.
"I like the idea of helping out someone who served our country," says Karla Ross, Owner of At Home Properties in Amarillo, Texas. "They come back home and face so many challenges. Housing shouldn't be one of them."
Ross participates in a collaborative rental assistance program between the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) and the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) programs. The HUD-VASH programs pair a Housing Choice Voucher with VA case management services for veterans who have health and social-service needs and are experiencing homelessness. SSVF provides short-term financial and rental assistance with housing search assistance for veterans experiencing or at-risk of homelessness.
"This has been a very good experience," says Christine LaMarca, Property Supervisor for The Kevane Company Inc., based in La Mesa, Calif. "There are many benefits. It's a guaranteed source of income and you have a grateful resident who's willing to follow the rules. It's a good business decision."
Both LaMarca and Ross say that the VASH staff members work hard to make the relationship successful between the veteran and the apartment community.
"They're very hands-on with veterans," Ross says. "They want to make sure the veterans are doing well, receiving all the services available to them, and have a successful landlord-tenant relationship."
The Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles (AAGLA) is also participating in the HUD-VASH program through Homes for Heroes, a national program locally run via a partnership between the local Chamber of Commerce and United Way. AAGLA has also created a subcommittee of the government relations committee to work specifically on veteran's homelessness.
"We're going to look for other ways to help these folks," says Jim Clarke, AAGLA Executive Vice President. "It's a shame people who've served our country so honorably are on the streets."
There are many other programs around the nation in which NAA members participate to respond to the challenge of homelessness among veterans and the broader crisis of homelessness in our society.
For example, the Piedmont Triad Apartment Association (PTAA) participates in the "Partners Ending Homelessness" program with a goal of housing 48 veterans before the end of 2015.
"A case manager is assigned to them to help with health or job issues," explains Jon Lowder, PTAA Executive Director. "The goal is to get them into housing first and then into programs for issues such as substance abuse, mental illness and job training. The rent is guaranteed by the organization."
Other NAA affiliated associations, such as the Apartment Association of the Panhandle (AAP), are contributing in other ways. AAP donated more than $1,700 to the Amarillo VA to assist homeless veterans. However, more helpand more apartmentsare needed.
"Landlord recruitment is a critical component," says Jennifer Ho, a senior adviser with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. "We need a lot of landlords and a lot of units to get these vets off the streets."
In many communities, the "single-greatest challenge to achieving an end to veteran homelessness is the high cost of-and tight competition for-rental housing," according to the USICH. As a result, First Lady Michelle Obama recently called on Mayors to "ask property owners and landlords to rent to these veterans looking for a place to call home."
So far, 554 mayors have become part of the Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness, launched in 2014 (along with eight governors and 152 county and city officials).
A Lesson in Working Together
Mayor Richard J. Berry of Albuquerque accepted the challenge and committed to ending veteran homelessness in his community. As of last January, the Point in Time count estimated that 517 veterans were experiencing homelessness in the city. As of July, 228 veterans had been housed. The city is currently on track to meet its end-of-year goal and has successfully housed veterans needing assistance in all areas of the city.
Additionally, the state of New Mexico has committed to this goal as part of a national movement called "Zero: 2016" to end veterans homelessness by the end of the year and end chronic homelessness overall by 2016.
"Veterans are the heart of our nation; we must do everything we can to help them transition back into the communities they are willing to serve. Ending veteran homelessness is near to my heart and I know, as a community, we will come together to accomplish this goal," says Mayor Berry. The progress made in Albuquerque can be attributed to the collaborative efforts of stakeholders coming together, including the Mayor, local community partners and the Apartment Association of New Mexico (AANM).
Regarding placement, the City works closely with AANM to balance the needs of the apartment owner, existing residents and the homeless veteran being placed in the community.
Dennis Plummer, CEO of Heading Home (HH), spoke highly of AANM saying, "Our relationship with the apartment association is a powerful one. [AANM Executive Director] Kelle Senyé puts our message in front of the membership, educating them on the need, so that when a case manager approaches a property manager, being associated with Heading Home has credibility."
HH has several programs focusing on homeless veterans, including a veterans' transitional program, medical respite care and Vets Heading Home. The first two programs are implemented in conjunction with the local VA, while Vets Heading Home serves veterans who have been disqualified from VA services or who have some discomfort in working with the VA.
Heading Home meets with representatives from other partner agencies monthly to assess the caseload; if an individual cannot qualify for a HUD-VASH voucher, a Housing First voucher may be a better fit or vice versa. The diversity of the programming at Heading Home allows staff the flexibility to meet the veteran's individual needs.
One program in particular has garnered support from community groups nationally. The Housing First model is an alternative approach that separates the requirement of drug rehabilitation or other social services from the ability to obtain housing. Using this approach, HH and its partners have an 80 percent retention rate after 12 months.
Plummer says, "We connect the client with a case manager right up-front. But we make it clear that these services are completely separate, and they have access to housing regardless of whether they accept the services available. We invite the vet to engage in case management services. Although the housing is not tied to the services available, almost 100 percent participate."
The Housing First model has increased HH's success rate in helping vets obtain and retain housing overtime. In addition, HH says there is a benefit to the community. According to a study released by the City of Albuquerque, there is a 31.6 percent savings to the community when a person experiencing homelessness finds permanent housing, rather than housing the vet in an emergency shelter or allowing the vet to live on the street.
Moving Forward
Delaney Woodward, Policy and Program Advisor to Mayor Berry, says that continued advocacy with HUD and Congress ensures that Albuquerque has the resources it needs. Through these efforts, Mayor Berry was able to secure 33 additional HUD-VASH vouchers for Albuquerque, covering the city's need for the rest of the year.
Beyond 2015, the goal, as is in many communities, is "functional zero," meaning the circumstances that may cause a veteran to become homeless in the future are beyond control but if a vet became homeless tomorrow, a city or state at functional zero would have the resources to house a veteran within 30 days.
Plummer says, "There is a national movement toward functional zero. But it takes more than one sector to do it. Traditionally, community non-profit groups were alone in dealing with the issue of homelessness. But now people see collaboration is necessary. We need a wide selection to help people, not just VASH vouchers and Housing First vouchers but other options as well, engaging property owners in the process."
Nicole Upano is NAA's Manager of State and Local Government Affairs and Carole Roper is NAA's Director of Public Affairs.
Benefits of Participating in HUD-VASH Program
Reduced vacancy rates
Reliable monthly rental payments through the local housing authority and Fair Market Rent
Flexibility in the amount of security deposits and lease terms.
Participants in both the HUD-VASH and SSVF programs have access to case management and support services, which provides a safety net for residents, additional assurances that lease terms are met, and a reduced default risk
Learn More
To connect with your local HUD office visit bit.ly/HUD_LOCAL
To connect with your local Veterans Administration contact Charles Selby at [email protected]
Additional Resources
Preventing and Ending Veteran Homelessness Fact Sheet (White House)
How Landlords Can Help End Veteran Homelessness (VA)
HUD-VASH Resources Guide for Permanent Housing and Clinical Care (VA)
HUD-VASH Vouchers (HUD)
Supportive Services for Veteran Families (VA)