NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Some veterans here in Hampton Roads tell 10 On Your Side that they are grateful for housing aid.
Friday, Joe DeFelice, the regional Department of Housing and Urban Development administrator, visited Hampton Roads to delve out checks to local housing authorities for homeless veterans who’ve fallen on hard times.
“It’s a national tragedy that those who have served our nation in uniform end up living in shelters and on our streets,” said DeFelice.
DeFelice is making sure those who’ve served our country have a home to call their own, with help from Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing, or VASH.
The program is a joint effort by HUD, the Housing Choice Voucher program and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
“This is our way of stepping in to aid those who have put their lives on the line to help us,” said DeFelice.
DeFelice spent the morning handing out big checks, used as vouchers to help homeless veterans find a home. He presented money to housing authorities in James City County ($29,164), Chesapeake ($34,821), Norfolk ($39,661), Virginia Beach ($39,161) and Chesapeake ($34,821).
John Kownack, the executive director for Norfolk’s Redevelopment and Housing Authority, says the money is very important to the Hampton Roads community as a whole.
“This check that we got combined is going to allow us to serve about 25 to 30 veterans in private market housing,” said Kownack.
Veterans like Oneika Loudon are benefiting. She served our country 11 years and fell on hard times.
“Imagine if you woke up and someone sent you a text message that said your house is gone, the gas that’s in your car, that’s all you have, the money that’s in your wallet, that’s all you have, the clothes on your back, that’s all you have,” said Loudon.
Loudon did the research and found VASH, which gave her a voucher for rent and job training.
“It saved my life, saved my children’s lives”
“There is no greater responsibility than to end veterans homelessness and to make sure that those who have served our nation have a home they can call their own,” said DeFelice
Virginia led the nation in effectively ending veteran homelessness.
That doesn’t mean you won’t see a veteran experiencing homelessness. But what it does mean – once HUD identifies the veteran it can get them housing and services within 90 days.
