Congressman Crow, Colorado Senators Lead Successful Effort to Strengthen National Program Helping US Veterans Exit Homelessness

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06), Army veteran, applauded the release of guidance for public housing authorities (PHAs) to screen and refer eligible veterans for the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) HUD-VA Supported Housing (HUD-VASH) Program. The news follows Congressman Crow’s letter with Colorado Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper urging the departments to provide Congressionally-directed guidance amid a years-long delay that left many PHAs, including the Aurora Housing Authority, unable to cut past the red tape and help alleviate administrative challenges facing the program.

In November 2023, the Aurora Housing Authority had 137 HUD-VASH vouchers in its Housing Assistance Payment annual budget authority — 45 of which were un-leased. Meanwhile, there were an estimated 40 to 50 veterans in Aurora who were experiencing homelessness. Yet due to a lack of guidance, the Aurora Public Housing Authority was unable to screen for veteran eligibility and make referrals to the program. Crow’s letter specifically requested updates in drafting guidance and additional details about the VA’s plans to effectively place veterans experiencing homelessness into safe housing and meet their immediate needs. 

“We understand the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are working diligently to address the issue of veteran homelessness. Despite these crucial efforts, thousands of HUD-VA Supported Housing Program (HUD-VASH) vouchers still go unused each year,” wrote the Members. 

They continued: “In 2020, Congress directed HUD and the VA to issue guidance on how PHAs can become designated entities to screen and make referrals to HUD-VASH, bolstering this pipeline of support. As you finalize this guidance, service providers such as the Aurora Housing Authority remain unable to screen and refer veterans to the HUD-VASH program.” 

As a leading voice for veterans in Colorado and across the US, Congressman Crow  helped pass into law the PACT Act – the largest-ever expansion of veterans health benefits in US history and reintroduced the bipartisan legislation to improve the VA’s response to veterans’ suicide. Recently, Crow called on the VA to provide more information and enhance oversight in addressing serious allegations of misconduct and staffing issues at Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center – Colorado’s largest VA hospital. 

Colorado’s Sixth District is home to more than 35,000 veterans. 

A PDF of the letter can be found here, with text appearing below:  

Dear Secretary Fudge and Secretary McDonough: 

We write to express our support for the Aurora Housing Authority’s request to receive a regulatory waiver to be considered a VASH Designated Service Provider (DSP). 

We understand the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are working diligently to address the issue of veteran homelessness. Despite these crucial efforts, thousands of HUD-VA Supported Housing Program (HUD-VASH) vouchers still go unused each year. 

Well-documented VA workforce challenges contribute to the underutilization of these vouchers. More support is needed to locate veterans in the community experiencing homelessness, properly screen for eligibility, and maintain adequate staffing levels.

In 2020, Congress directed HUD and the VA to issue guidance on how PHAs can become designated entities to screen and make referrals to HUD-VASH, bolstering this pipeline of support. As you finalize this guidance, service providers such as the Aurora Housing Authority remain unable to screen and refer veterans to the HUD-VASH program. The Aurora Housing Authority has 137 HUD-VASH vouchers in its Housing Assistance Payment annual budget authority — 45 of which are currently un-leased. Meanwhile, there are an estimated 40-50 veterans in Aurora who are experiencing homelessness. In addition, the organization maintains a staff of seven people with a master’s in social work, five of whom provide intensive case management for the homeless.

Given the chronic underutilization of HUD-VASH vouchers in Aurora and the Aurora Housing Authority’s unique capabilities to address these needs, we believe the organization is qualified to be designated as a DSP while you work to finalize guidance in response to the 2020 congressional directive. As such, we respectfully encourage you to give the Aurora Housing Authority’s request for a regulatory waiver your full and fair review.

Thank you for your consideration. We would appreciate if you could notify our offices of any developments. 

Sincerely,