1. HUD-VASH: The VA Perspective
Teresa S. Pittman, LCSW
HUD-VASH Program Analyst

2. Eliminating Veteran Homelessness
President Obama and Secretary Shinseki are committed to eliminating homelessness for our nation’s Veterans.
Eliminating Veteran homelessness is a very high national priority.
VA has developed a comprehensive Five Year Plan to achieve this goal.
HUD-VASH is a prominent element of the Five Year Plan.

3. Program Design
The HUD-VASH program was developed to provide case management and supportive services paired with a “Housing Choice” Section 8 voucher to eligible homeless Veterans
HUD-VASH case managers work to maintain Veterans recovery and independence
HUD-VASH has the opportunity to provide permanent, stable, and safe housing to homeless Veterans

4. VA Side of HUD-VASH
HUD-VASH is a partnership between the VA and HUD and VA case managers and PHAs
Both sides need to work together to have good and timely outcomes
For VA, case management is the heart of this program
VA also needs other community partnerships to successfully implement this program – referrals from community, landlords, assistance with deposits, furniture, etc.

5. Size &Scope Over 20,000 housing vouchers Almost 600 case managers
10,150 allocated in FY08
10,290 allocated in FY09
Almost 600 case managers
291 case managers funded in FY08
292 additional case managers funded in FY09
283 FY08 Case managers are hired (97%)

6. Progress on FY08 Allocation
20,295 Veterans have been screened
13,825 Veterans have entered case management
11,970 Veterans have been referred to the PHA
10,707 Veterans have been issued vouchers
6,906 Veterans have been housed as of September 30, 2009

7. FY 08 Allocation Progress

8. Priority focus for HUD-VASH
Eligibility
Priority focus for HUD-VASH
Chronically homeless with SMI
Homeless Veterans with dependent Children (OEF/OIF)

9. Eligibility VA determines clinical eligibility
PHA determines legal eligibility
Meet income requirements
Not on lifetime sexual offense registry requirement

10. Program Requirements VA Health Care Eligible Veteran
Homeless (McKinney Act Definition)
Needs case management to obtain and sustain independently housed in the community
Must agree to participate in the case management portion of the program

11. Program Requirements
Sustained periods of sobriety are not prerequisites for admission to HUD VASH
Case managers are to coordinate and collaborate with MH and SUD providers to co-manage the treatment needs of the Veterans
HUD VASH is about promoting and sustaining access to treatment and housing and other supports that nourish the Veterans Recovery and enhance their quality of life

12. VA Case Managers “Community Reintegration Specialist”
Evolving to team approach – CM, SUD, Peer Support, Housing Specialist
Will network with community advocacy groups, service providers, landlords, and local homeless Continuum(s) of Care

13. VA Case Management Intensity
Target case management Ratio is 35:1 but program needs to match intensity of services with the needs of the veteran.
Chronic homeless and families may require more intensive services especially during the engagement & stabilization phase
VA moving toward the evidence based Critical Time Intervention case management model

14. VA Case Manager Functions
Promote recovery from homelessness
Mental health
Substance use
Physical health
Assist Veteran to obtain treatment or services, as indicated
Provide access to benefits & vocational services
Assist with housing needs

15. Vital Functions of Case Management
Throughout the case management process:
Assessment/ Reassessment
Functioning
Stability
Progress on established goals
Developing and revising mutually agreed upon goals and actions to accomplish those targets

16. Non-HUD-VASH assistance
HUD-VASH Flow Chart
Connected with other programs and/or services:
HCHV, RRTP, GPD, MH, SUD, Inpatient, Community Services, etc. for assistance
Referral
Outreach to Veterans and Community
Referred for
Non-HUD-VASH assistance
Screening
Veteran not eligible for Voucher
Admitted
Meet With PHA
Voucher Issued
Case Management Task: “Housing Search”
Landlord development
Locate suitable housing unit Inspection
Lease Move In to housing unit
Case Management Task: “Housing Ready”
Assessment
Housing and Service Plan
Referral for concurrent MH, SUD, PCC
Income Assistance
CWT/ Employment Services
VA and SS Benefits
Money Management/ Credit Repair
PHA Application and Documentation
PHA Referral
Voucher Returned to PHA
Case Management Task: Sustain Housing
Recovery in MH, SUD, Physical Health
Transition Time Skill Development/ Practice
Foster Independence
Monitor Stability and Functioning
Exit
HUD-VASH

17. VA Case Manager Basics Provide case management services in:
VA setting
Veteran’s home
Community settings
Group settings
Face to face meetings at least weekly
Stop code 522
Group meetings count as face to face
Telephone contacts
Stop code 530

18. Exit from Case Management
Veterans ready to exit from case management will have:
Developed skills
Achieved sustained recovery from clinical symptoms
Demonstrated ability to live independently
Stage transition – fewer visits, longer time between visits
Communicate with PHA at all stages

19. Exiting from HUD-VASH Why Veteran may be exiting HUD-VASH:
Veteran no longer needs case management or voucher
Veteran refuses to participate in case management
Veteran is incarcerated
Veteran loses voucher due to PHA rule violation
Veteran evicted from housing unit
All reasonable efforts will be made to assist
Veteran to keep the Veteran involved in the
Program, unless program not needed

20. Community Partnerships
PHAs
HUD – Field Offices/ National Office
Landlords
Homeless Service Providers
Veteran Service Organizations
Law Enforcement/ Justice System
Faith Based Organizations
Local Homeless Continuum of Care
Community at large

21. FY 2010 HUD-VASH Dashboard
Must be accurate - shared with HUD and Congress
Monitored by the year of the award
(FY 08 and FY 09)
Four primary sections:
Hiring status information (internal to VA)
Cumulative implementation of the program
Current number of Veterans with vouchers and number of Veterans housed

22. DASHBOARD VISN Site identification information Voucher awards
Site Name
Site
Code
Number of
Awarded
Vouchers
FTEE 2
ALBANY
528A8
FY 09 Total 70 3
W NEW YORK HCS (Buffalo)
528
CANANDAIGUA (Rochester)
528GE
CANANDAIGUA
528A5 35 1
SYRACUSE
528A7
SYRACUSE (Rome)
528GM
FY 09 VISN Total
245 8
VISN
Site identification information
Voucher awards
Case manager allocations

23. FY 09 Dashboard Status Current Hiring Status Start Date ??/??/??
Dev Functional Statement
Awaiting HR
On Hold
Posted
Posted and closed
Recruiting
Screening Applicants
Interviewing
Selection Made
Pending HR Approval
Position Offered
Credentialing
Target Start Date
Filled
Recently vacated
Current Hiring Status
Start Date
??/??/??
Target Start Date
 11/15/09
Interviewing
Recruiting
 Posted and Closed
Awaiting HR 

24. DASHBOARD Cumulative Data Automatic Calculations for:
Pink = Performance Monitor
Purple = Performance Measure
VISN Totals
Cumulative Veteran Involvement in HUD- VASH Program (FY 2009 vouchers)
Veterans Screened for HUD-VASH Program
Veterans Entering HUD- VASH Case Management
HUD-VASH Veterans Referred to Local Public Housing Authority (PHAs)
HUD- VASH Veterans Issued Voucher from PHAs
Veterans Housed in HUD-VASH
Performance Monitor: % of Vouchers Issued
Performance Measure % Housed
Returned Vouchers 0%

25. DASHBOARD Current Data Automatic Calculations for:
Current Status
Current
Vouchers
in Use
Actual %
Issued
Number of
Veterans
Housed 0%
0.0%
Current Data
Automatic Calculations for:
Current Vouchers in Use
Percentages
VISN Totals

26. HUD-VASH Outcome Goals
End homelessness for Veterans through permanent supportive housing
Veterans will sustain housing and will:
Remain stable and in Recovery
(Improved quality of life)
Learn and use new skills and strategies
Participate in cultural and social activities
Be good tenants
Engage in healthy practices
Make thoughtful and appropriate decisions
Gain independence

27. HUD-VASH Low Barrier Access Maintain Hope for Veterans
VHA Handbook
Internet
Intranet
Sharepoint:

28. Contact Information
Please contact me if you have questions or want to discuss specific program concerns:
Teresa Pittman
VA Central Office
810 Vermont Ave. NW
Washington, D.C