11.10.15

Durbin Announces More Than $443,000 in Federal Funding to Assist Homeless Veterans in Illinois

[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that both the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have awarded a total of $443,453 in grants and vouchers to communities in Illinois that will be used to expand supportive services and housing for Illinois veterans.

   

“Last night, in Illinois alone, more than 1,200 homeless veterans were on the street. This country can do better—and must do better—for the brave men and women who have sacrificed for our nation honorably. We should continue to honor and recognize their service not just on Veterans Day, but every day, by upholding the promises we have made to them. This funding is a reflection of that promise we made to the men and women who serve this country to provide them with the housing and the health services assistance they earned during their service,” Durbin said.

   

Under today’s announcement, the following communities will receive funding from HUD’s Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) tenant-based voucher program, which will help enable homeless veterans and their families to access affordable existing housing of their choice:

   

  • Housing Authority of Cook County (Chicago, IL): will receive $294,533 in funding to support veterans seeking assistance through the Edward Hines, Jr. VA Medical Center and the Freedom’s Path; and

   

  • Housing Authority of Joliet (Joliet, IL): will receive $148,920 in funding to support veterans seeking assistance through the Edward Hines, Jr. VA Medical Center and Hope Manor Apartments.

   

The HUD-VASH funding provides rental assistance under a supportive housing program for homeless veterans.  Funds are awarded to public housing agencies that have agreed to partner with eligible VA medical facilities.