Biden-Harris Administration Announces More Than $10 Million to Help End Homelessness Among Native American Veterans

HUD No. 24-220 HUD Public Affairs (202) 708-0685

FOR RELEASE Monday August 26, 2024

Biden-Harris Administration Announces More Than $10 Million to Help End Homelessness Among Native American Veterans

New funding will help Native American veterans facing homelessness access and maintain quality, affordable housing

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced more than $10 million to provide rental assistance and supportive housing services to Native American veterans who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Federal investment in Native American housing programs is critical to ensure the health and safety of Native Americans and Tribal communities. Today's announcement underscores HUD's continued efforts to expand and improve affordable housing options for homeless Native American veterans.

"Expanding services for homeless Native American veterans to secure and maintain housing is a top priority," said HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman. "This significant renewal of funding today emphasizes our commitment to sustaining quality, safe and affordable housing for those veterans across Indian Country who proudly served our nation."

Through the HUD-U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Supportive Housing (Tribal HUD-VASH) program, 29 grant recipients are able to offer rental assistance and supportive clinical services to Tribal veterans who are facing homelessness. Today's funding announcement allows almost 500 Native American Veterans to remain housed under the Tribal HUD-VASH program while also offering housing opportunities to more homeless Veterans.

"It is an honor to support Tribal efforts to end Native American Veteran Homelessness through the Tribal HUD-VASH program," said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Richard Monocchio. "Seeing firsthand the expertise and care with which this program is implemented is a testament to the proud legacy of all Native American Veterans who served and sacrificed for our country."

The HUD-VASH Program is a vital resource to house veterans experiencing homelessness. HUD-VASH pairs rental assistance from HUD through housing vouchers targeted to veterans experiencing homelessness with case management and other supportive services provided by VA. Since its inception, the program has provided rental assistance or case management services to more than 1,000 Native American Veterans across the country. The HUD-VASH program has been the cornerstone of our nation's success in reducing the number of veterans experiencing homelessness by more than 50% since 2010.

Native Americans are seven times more likely to live in overcrowded conditions with between 42,000-85,000 Native Americans living with family and friends due to having no place to call their own. The Biden-Harris Administration has been committed to strengthening the Nation-to-Nation relationships between the United States and Tribal Nations, advancing Tribal sovereignty and addressing the housing needs of Indian Country. The American Rescue Plan made the largest direct federal investment in Indian Country in history, and through the President's Investing in America agenda, the Biden-Harris Administration has made additional record-setting investments in Tribal Nations and Native communities.

Learn more about each of the awardees for this latest round of funding from HUD and VA's Tribal HUD-VASH program.