Tucson Standard

The City of Tucson will be receiving 75 additional Housing Choice Vouchers for homeless veterans, as confirmed by the federal department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The vouchers, known as VASH, will be available starting April 1, 2024, allowing more veterans access to permanent housing.

Terry Galligan, deputy director of the City's Housing and Community Development Department (HCD), expressed gratitude for the collaborative effort that led to securing the additional vouchers. Galligan stated, "The VASH program is a great collaboration between our local Veterans Administration staff and HCD. It is because of our collaboration and hard work that HUD chose the City of Tucson to receive these additional vouchers to help veterans."

The new VASH vouchers will bring the total number of housing vouchers in Tucson to 4,844, with Pima County holding 877 vouchers. Galligan and the City of Tucson are eager to provide support to more veterans, particularly those who have faced significant challenges.

Data from the 2023 Point in Time County report, conducted by the Tucson Pima Collaboration to End Homelessness, revealed a positive trend in veteran homelessness. The report indicated that "veteran homelessness decreased by 14 percent from 2022 and is down four percent from 2018." However, despite the overall decrease, the number of unsheltered veterans on the night of the count remains significantly higher compared to previous years.

The HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program combines Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance with case management and clinical services provided by the VA, aiming to address the needs of homeless veterans effectively.

Landlords interested in participating in the Housing Choice Voucher program are encouraged to contact Terry Galligan at terry.galligan@tucsonaz.gov for more information.