TALLAHASSEE, FLA. (July 20, 2011) – Department of Children and Families Secretary David Wilkins today announced that 11 local housing authorities have been 550 vouchers totaling $3.76 million by the U.S. Housing and Urban Development program and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. With the valuable assistance of public housing authorities in our state, the grant will support hundreds of homeless veterans establishing permanent and stable residency through the receipt of rental assistance vouchers.
"It is our intent to promote housing and other services to homeless veterans with a focus on achieving residential stability and economic self sufficiency," said Wilkins. “Our goal is to ensure that all members of the community can have the chance to pursue the American dream. This award will help better the lives of the brave veterans who we serve.”
A total of 550 rental assistance vouchers were awarded to public housing authorities in the first round of awards for the federal 2011 fiscal year. A second round of awards is expected later this summer. The recent awards announced are going to the following public housing authorities:
Tampa | 75 vouchers
Orlando | 50 vouchers
Miami-Dade | 50 vouchers
Daytona Beach | 25 vouchers
Sarasota | 25 vouchers
West Palm Beach | 50 vouchers
Ft. Lauderdale | 25 vouchers
Titusville | 25 vouchers
Pinellas County | 75 vouchers
Ft. Walton Beach | 50 vouchers
Alachua County | 100 vouchers
Veterans who are homeless and need the rental assistance will be referred to the public housing authority by VA Medical Centers. Since 2008, Florida public housing authorities have received a total of 2,955 rental assistance vouchers to help homeless veterans secure permanent supportive housing.
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For original press release and more information about this program please CLICK HERE.
For more information on Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program CLICK HERE.