Noteboom The Law Firm

HUD Cuts the Supportive House Program

May 27, 2010 - Nobody is immune to budget cuts these days, including the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The Housing and Urban Development Department's (HUD) latest budget cut, however, will help to thwart VA Secretary Eric Shinseki's attempt to end homelessness among veterans.

Congress has earmarked $75 million every year since 2008 for the HUD and the Supportive House Program. HUD, however, has abolished the Supportive House Program from their 2011 budget. By doing this, the burden falls squarely on the shoulders of the VA to fund the Supportive House Program.

Given the current environment in this country being one of increased unemployment and mental illness among veterans, VA Sec. Shinseki sees the possible elimination of the Supportive House Program as a real threat to the VA's attempt to eliminate homelessness. Shinseki has consistently touted prevention as his main component of fighting homelessness. The elimination of the housing program strikes a huge blow against using prevention as a successful tactic.  

The Supportive House Program has been in place since 1992 and to date has serviced over 13,000 veterans. The program hands out vouchers to be used toward subsidized housing and assigns caseworkers. Of the 10,000 vouchers distributed in 2009, however, veterans are only using 25% of them.

While the program is not the most efficient one out there, it does help veterans pay their rent. Although HUD has said some of their excess budget could be used towards homeless veterans, the funding needs to be there before the veterans encounter the problems in the first place. Prevention is key in this fight against homelessness.