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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 19, 2020
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Mina Ramon, Council Liaison, District 1
Herminia.Ramon@dallascityhall.com | 214-670-0776
David Gruber, Development & Communications Director, MDHA
David.Gruber@mdhadallas.org | 469-222-0047
Dallas, Texas -- Council Member and Chair of the Housing and Homelessness Solutions Committee Chad West announced his support for the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance's (MDHA) “No Buddy Left Behind” 100 Day Veteran Housing Challenge. The challenge aims to help 100 veterans end their homelessness in 100 days. MDHA is leading this challenge for the second year in a row.
“Last May, Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance and its homeless response partners, committed to an unprecedented goal of housing 100 homeless veterans in Dallas County in 100 days,” said Council Member West. “Through enhanced partner teamwork and communication, the MDHA led team actually exceeded their goal by re-housing 140 veterans and I believe we can do the same or more this year.”
MDHA will be the primary organization coordinating efforts to ensure veterans get the supportive housing they need. The main vehicle used to house the veterans will be the HUD-VASH housing voucher. HUD-VASH stands for Housing and Urban Development – Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing, a partnership between the VA and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD provides housing vouchers, through local housing authorities like DHA and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides case management and other services
Here’s how the process works:
- The veteran attends an “admissions event” at the VA, to have their status verified
- The veteran visits with DHA to have their voucher issued
- The veteran finds a property where they can rent a unit, and is accepted by that property
- DHA inspects and approves the unit
- DHA and the property sign a contract
"This program is just the beginning of a larger push to reduce homelessness among veterans who have sacrificed so much for our country,” said Council Member West. “Ending veteran homelessness is an achievable goal and the City is committed to providing necessary resources to help make it happen this year.”
The City of Dallas’ Office of Homeless Solutions will support the mission by identifying unsheltered veterans in homeless encampments and refer them to MDHA and their partners, the Dallas Housing Authority and the VA.
Learn more about MDHA and their mission to bring together agencies to end homelessness here: https://www.mdhadallas.org/mdha/
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