HUD to Implement Changes to the HUD-VASH Program in the Near Future
By: Tushar Gurjal, Senior Policy Manager
On August 8, HUD published a press release titled “Biden-Harris Administration Expands Access to Housing for Veterans.” The press release announces certain changes to the HUD-VASH program that would expand eligibility for HUD-VASH vouchers and improve “access to supportive housing developments.” The Department has also awarded $20 million in additional administrative fee funding to 245 PHAs that are administering the HUD-VASH program. The HUD-VASH program serves veterans experiencing homelessness through the provision of a voucher and certain wrap-around services.
According to the press release, HUD is making the following changes to the HUD-VASH programmatic rules:
- Housing agencies will be required to set the initial income eligibility for veterans at 80% of Area Median Income instead of the 50% threshold which is the current default;
- Annual income will be redefined to exclude service-connected disability benefits when determining eligibility;
- PHAs will be able to make non-competitive awards of HUD-VASH vouchers to projects or units that serve HUD-VASH families on Veterans Affairs facilities;
- PHAs will be able to approve exception payment standards as reasonable accommodations up to 140% of the Fair Market Rent; and
- PHAs will be able to set minimum rent policy for only HUD-VASH vouchers, including setting a minimum rent at zero.
The list above is non-exhaustive, and the Department will be publishing a notice in the Federal Register that fully delineates the forthcoming changes to the HUD-VASH program. These changes will impact eligibility, lease terms, mobility and portability, case management, termination of assistance, turnover, project-basing HUD-VASH vouchers, payment standards, inspections, and reallocation of HUD-VASH vouchers among other topic areas.
NAHRO will provide additional information about the notice to members in the coming weeks.
The full press release can be found here.
The pre-publication copy of the Federal Register notice can be found here.