CLEVELAND, Ohio — The federal government is continuing to fund a program to find homeless veterans permanent places to live.
Another $65 million is being poured into a joint effort between the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to aid 9,300 more homeless veterans. The rental assistance program began in 2008.
In this area, that amounts to just over $600,000 to help 113 people or families.
Local VA officials said the effort has reduced veteran homelessness nationally by 33 percent since 2010. It is believed there are about 50,000 homeless veterans across the country.
“The goal is to not have any veteran homeless,” said Kathleen Penman, the homeless outreach coordinator at the Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
The aid is largely provided through vouchers that help pay rent for veterans. The vouchers first are assigned mainly to housing authorities. VA medical centers find the veterans, determine eligibility and then help in finding places to live. Money also goes to supportive services for the veterans.
Over the years, the Stokes center has used 875 vouchers in the counties it serves, including 508 in Cuyahoga, said Barb Karam, who supervises the program at the local VA.
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