HUD Awards Funding to Oneida Nation

Tribal HUD-VASH vouchers will assist Native American Veterans

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) renewed $1.1 million in grants to nine Tribes and tribally designated housing entities (TDHEs) that provide housing and supportive services to Native American Veterans who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness including $140,985 to the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin in Oneida.

The Tribal HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (Tribal HUD-VASH) Program is a demonstration program that combines rental assistance from HUD with case management and clinical services provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

“The Tribal HUD-VASH program combines HUD rental assistance for homeless veterans with the VA’s supportive services to help our brave Americans successfully start a new and brighter chapter in their lives,” said HUD Regional Administrator Joseph P. Galvan. “These veterans have sacrificed so much, and it’s now our duty to honor them.”

Oneida Nation Vice Chairman, Brandon Yellowbird-Stevens said, “The Oneida Nation is fortunate to be part of the Tribal HUD VASH Pilot Program which began in 2015.  This funding has allowed us to help 20 Native American Veterans and their families through housing and supportive services.  We take pride in caring for our Veterans and honor their service.”

In 2015, Congress authorized funding for a demonstration program to expand the HUD-VASH program to Native American veterans. HUD was directed to coordinate with Tribes, TDHEs, and other appropriate tribal organizations on the design of this program, and to ensure the effective delivery of housing assistance and supportive services to eligible Native American veterans. Since its inception, the demonstration program has awarded more than $12.6 million.