Homeless vets in MB to receive vouchers
The federal departments of Housing and Urban Development and Veterans Affairs this week awarded an additional $65 million to local housing authorities around the nation to work toward ending veteran homelessness, including $250,000 for Myrtle Beach veterans.
More than four dozen struggling Myrtle Beach area veterans will soon be receiving help to secure and maintain housing.
The federal departments of Housing and Urban Development and Veterans Affairs this week awarded an additional $65 million to local housing authorities around the nation to work toward ending veteran homelessness, including more than $720,000 given to three South Carolina housing authorities.
The vouchers, part of HUD’s Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program, allow veterans to pay no more than 30 percent of their income toward rent, while the federal government picks up the remaining tab. Veterans do not have to have an income to qualify for the vouchers.
The Myrtle Beach Housing Authority received $250,700, enough to help 50 veterans, according to Sharon Forrest, the authority’s executive director.
Horry County has an estimated 3,200 homeless people. The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that veterans make up about 12 percent of the adult homeless population, though some believe the percentage is higher here, maybe up to a third, because of its deep military ties.
Housing authorities in Columbia and Charleston also received funding.
Staff and wire reports - (Myrtle Beach) Sun News
This story was originally published April 21, 2015 at 10:32 PM with the headline "Homeless vets in MB to receive vouchers."