U.S. Congressman David G. Valadao joined House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and both California Senators by sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs regarding unused vouchers from the Housing Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program.
Valadao, who represents portions of Kern County explained how the program provides support for homeless veterans.
"The HUD-VASH program provides rental assistance, as well as case management and clinical services, to homeless veterans, ensuring our nation's heroes never have to spend a night on the streets," Valadao said, "However, despite ample housing vouchers, staffing shortages at the Department of Veterans Affairs are preventing vouchers from being distributed to veterans in need of housing."
In the letter written by the California senators, McCarthy and Valadao stated that 102 vouchers are currently being used by veterans but due to a shortage of VA staff they are not able to accommodate everyone, this makes it difficult to serve the veterans to the fullest.
"With at least 95 known homeless veterans in the county, 39 of whom are living on the street, the VA should drastically increase its efforts to provide the staffing required to ensure that these vouchers are put to use."
