A new federal government effort aims to help homeless Native American veterans living on tribal lands.
For the first time, the Housing and Urban Development Department and the Department of Veterans affairs will extend veteran housing grants to 26 Native American tribes living in 12 states in a newly announced partnership. This is the first time the Native American community has been specifically targeted by the federal government as part of its large-scale effort to end homelessness among veterans.
The Tribal HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program will award $5.9 million in grants to offer permanent housing and supportive services to Native American veterans who are currently experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness.
HUD Secretary Julian Castro announced the grantees in Tulsa, Okla., last week at the winter meeting of the Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes.
“By targeting resources directly to tribes, we can better honor the service and sacrifice of Native American veterans who now need a roof over their heads,” Castro said. “These heroes deserve hope for a brighter future, and by offering permanent housing solutions, combined with needed services and case management, we can work with tribes to end veteran homelessness.”
Until now, veterans on tribal lands were unable to secure funding through the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program. Now, those Native Americans living in the 26 tribal lands will be able to use the grants to get new housing or stay in their current homes if they qualify.
Since 2008, more than 79,000 vouchers have been awarded through the VASH program, serving roughly 103,000 homeless veterans. HUD officials estimate the nationwide homeless veteran population is just under 48,000, and less than three percent of that total are thought to be Native American veterans. However, according to the Pew Research Center, one-in-four Native Americans are living in poverty.
The Cherokee Nation is among the 26 tribes to receive funding. The Cherokee Nation will now be able to provide 20 vouchers for rental assistance using roughly $200,000 from the grant.
“The VA is already working with us to begin to identify veterans who need adequate housing,” Gary Cooper, the director of the Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation, said. “This is 20 families we can help that may not have had assistance before, and a demonstration project that once we prove is a good idea for Indian Country, will be around longer and can hopefully benefit more tribes.”
