Housing aid for local veterans

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May 2018 View more

Twenty-five homeless veterans will receive much-needed support through a program now administered by the DuPage Housing Authority (DHA). After three years of lobbying the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and HUD Chicago, the DHA has been approved as a participating agency for the Veterans Affairs Supporting Housing Program (VASH). DuPage is one of five Illinois public housing agencies receiving funds in 2018 to provide permanent homes to veterans.

In addition to rental assistance, funds allow agencies to provide comprehensive case management to VASH recipients through a partnering VA Medical Center, says DHA Executive Director Kenny Coles. “For DHA, it’s Hines VA. There has to be a close proximity because the VA does all the supportive services to help prepare the veterans for living self-sufficiently: mental health, education, job readiness, and of course supporting their housing needs.”

Now that the DHA is an approved agency, Coles is hopeful more veterans will be supported in the future.