Today is Independence Day, a national holiday, a day we celebrate with family and friends at barbecues, at the beach, watching fireworks. It’s also a day we pay tribute to the members of our armed forces and their families. Earlier today First Lady Michelle Obama issued a message. In it she stated the following, which is worth repeating here.
“Our military families are tested each day. Multiple and extended deployments mean that children often don’t see their moms or dads for long periods of time. Civilian spouses juggle the demands of work and family without their partners for long stretches of time. Family members serve as primary care givers for our wounded warriors, and too many families bear the heartbreaking reality of moving forward with their lives while keeping the memory of our fallen heroes alive. Through it all, military families contribute countless hours to supporting other military families, being role models to our children, and making communities stronger. A small percentage of Americans fight our wars, but we need 100 percent of Americans to support these brave men and women and their families back home.”
Last month the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that nearly 8000 homeless veterans will get permanent housing through the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program (HUD-VASH). New Jersey vets and their families are expected to receive 150 HUD-VASH vouchers. Eligibility screening for the program occurs at designated VA Medical Centers and within designated Service Areas (Camden, Jersey City, Paterson, Newark, Trenton, and Elizabeth). Eligible veterans are provided supportive services and case management as well as being referred to a participating public housing authority for their rent subsidy voucher.
The VA Medical Centers involved in this HUD-VASH voucher allocation are located at:
East Orange – VA Medical Center
385 Tremont Avenue
East Orange, NJ 07018
973-676-1000
Lyons – VA Medical Center
151 Knollcroft Road
Lyons, NJ 07939
908-647-0180
Service areas includes: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union, Warren
Philadelphia – VA Medical Center
3900 Woodland Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19104
215-823-5800
Service area includes: Burlington, Camden, Gloucester
Wilmington – VA Medical Center
1601 Kirkwood Highway
Wilmington, DE 19805
302-994-2511 or 800-461-8262
Service area includes: Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, Salem
If you know of a veteran who may qualify for the HUD-VASH program they should contact their local VA Medical Center. Or to connect to a trained VA staff person call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans hotline at 877-4AID VET (877-424-3838). For other useful New Jersey contact information see HUD press release or visit the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs website.
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