On Wednesday, July 8, HUD issued PIH Notice 2020-14, which announces the availability of $50 million in Veterans Affairs Sustainable Housing (VASH) funding, $40 million of which was appropriated in the FY20 spending agreement and $10 million from previous appropriations.
CLPHA called for the release of the $10 million that HUD had not allocated from previous appropriations. We have also consistently called for VASH funding in every budget cycle. This is a win for CLPHA’s advocacy, and for our members with a large veteran population in their service area.
Awards will be allocated per the methodology outlined in the FY20 spending agreement, which is based on geographic need, PHA performance, and “other factors specified by HUD.” Tenant-based VASH vouchers according to geographic need will be awarded to PHAs who inform HUD about their interest in receiving an allocation. HUD will invite interested PHAs to apply for a specific number of VASH vouchers based on a relative need formula. Vouchers can be converted to PBVs after the award without HUD approval.
To receive an award under this notice, PHAs will need to have a utilization rate of 70% or higher or have a greater than 100% HCV budget utilization rate based on April 2020 VMA data if the agency’s utilization rate is not at least 70%.
The process for registering interest in these vouchers is outlined in the notice and requires an email to HUD with an accompanying letter of support from the VA. Interested PHAs should register by September 15.
For questions about the notice, contact Research & Policy Manager Emily Warren at ewarren@clpha.org.