Congressman Neguse Announces Affordable Housing Grant for Low-Income Homeless Veterans in Larimer County

Washington, D.C.— This week, Congressman Neguse announced that the Department of Housing and Urban Development will be granting over $170,000 to Housing Catalyst in Larimer County to support affordable housing for low-income and homeless veterans. Fort Collins is one of only 4 municipalities in Colorado to receive a HUD-VASH grant in this first round of funding.

“In Congress, I am fighting to deliver better medical care, mental health services, housing and education benefits for our veterans,” said Congressman Joe Neguse. “We must honor the sacrifice and bravery of our servicemembers by ensuring they can access work, housing, education and the care they need. This grant will go a long way to ensure veterans in Larimer County are provided these needed services.”

“Housing Catalyst has led the way in building partnerships to end veteran homelessness,” said Michele Christensen, Chief Operating Officer at Housing Catalyst. “Fort Collins Mayor Wade Troxell signed onto the 2015 Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness, a federal call to action. This commitment reinforced efforts to address veteran homeless in the city, which have included the Fort Collins 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness, landlord outreach, coordination with other veteran service initiatives, and a coordinated entry system launched by the Northern Colorado Continuum of Care. These efforts, along with increased support from Veterans Administration Supportive Housing Vouchers, has significantly reduced the number of veterans living in homelessness in our community."

Housing choice voucher rental assistance is combined with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs for very low-income homeless veterans and their families. HUD-VASH vouchers are awarded based on geographic need and PHA administrative performance.

Earlier in 2019, Congressman Neguse introduced the Veterans Conservation Corps Act to connect veterans with opportunities in public lands maintenance. He has also co-sponsored the Brian Tally VA Employment Transparency Act, the FREED Vets Act, and the Improve Well-Being for Veterans Act to improve the quality of life for veterans who have served their country.