Senator Collins Announces More Than $100,000 to Address Veteran Homelessness in Maine
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the Chairman of the Housing Appropriations Subcommittee, announced today that Maine has received $116,456 to address homelessness among veterans across the state.
“Maine is home to more than 116,000 veterans who have sacrificed so much to protect our freedoms, and we have an obligation to provide these courageous men and women with the most comprehensive and accessible assistance programs available,” said Senator Collins. “The funding announced today will make a significant contribution to that effort and help homeless and at-risk veterans in Maine improve the stability of their living situation.”
This funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program and will go towards targeted vouchers that offer permanent supportive housing opportunities to veterans experiencing homelessness. Today’s announcement is part of joint HUD-VASH Voucher awards to Public Housing Authorities across the country. Each of these housing authorities has also partnered with the VA Maine Health Care System.
The funding is distributed as follows:
- Augusta Housing Authority will receive $20,757 supporting five vouchers
- Bangor Housing Authority will receive $25,325 supporting five vouchers
- Maine State Housing Authority will receive $37,406 supporting seven vouchers
- Westbrook Housing Authority will receive $32,968 supporting five vouchers
As Chairman of the Housing Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Collins has fought to ensure continued funding for the HUD-VASH program, which provides thousands of new housing vouchers to veterans each year. Since 2008, more than 90,000 VASH vouchers have been awarded, including 238 vouchers in Maine. As a result of Senator Collins’ efforts, homelessness among veterans has declined 47 percent since 2010.
