Washington, D.C.-  Today, Congressman Brian Baird (D-WA-03) announced more than  $600,000 in federal housing assistance is coming to Southwest Washington.  The money will help homeless veterans productively reenter society.  The funding comes from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as part of its Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV), and Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) programs.

"Our veterans never quit on America, and we must never quit on them," said Congressman Baird.  "I have always been a leading advocate for improving the care and services we provide to our veterans. This money will go a long way to helping ensure that our vets receive the resources, treatment and training they need to rejoin civilian society in a productive manner."

VASH programs target homeless veterans, allowing them to receive medical care, mental health care, vocational training, as well as assistance in finding a permanent home. The HCV program is the federal government's major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford safe and sanitary housing in the private market.

Since housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual, participants are able to find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses and apartments. Participants are free to choose any housing that meets the requirements of the program and are not limited to units located in subsidized housing projects.

The funding coming to Southwest Washington breaks down as follows: