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Department of Veterans Affairs, Housing Partners of Western NEbraska announce partnership to benefit homeless veterans

Star-Herald - 3/5/2017

In a continuing effort to help end Veteran homelessness, Housing Partners of Western Nebraska and VA Black Hills Health Care System announce the award of $63,012 to provide a permanent home to 20 Veterans and their families who are experiencing homelessness in western Nebraska.

The supportive housing assistance is provided through the HUD ? Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program which combines rental assistance from HUD with case management and clinical services provided by VA. HUD-VASH ensures that Veterans experiencing homelessness receive both the housing and services to live stably in their own homes.

"Veterans involved in intensive case management along with housing assistance have greater success maintaining a home. This wrap-around approach provides Veterans with specialized care and resources to help rebuild their lives in safe, affordable housing," said Willem Fahrenbruck, VA BHHCS Health Care for Homeless Veterans program manager.

Nancy Bentley, director of Housing Partners of Western Nebraska, said "We are very excited to be working with VA Black Hills and our veterans. They served our country and now it's our turn to serve them."

Housing Partner of Western Nebraska has reached out to partners at the Scotts Bluff County Veterans Services, American Legions and Veterans of Foreign Wars to connect with those in need of this rental assistance and stable housing.

Decisions are based on a variety of factors, most importantly the duration of homelessness and the need for longer term, more intensive support in obtaining and maintaining permanent housing. The HUD-VASH program includes both the rental assistance the voucher provides and the comprehensive case management that VA Black Hills Health Care System staff offers. Veterans participating in the HUD-VASH program rent privately owned housing and generally contribute no more than 30 percent of their income toward rent.

Referrals can be made to Housing Partners of Western Nebraska by calling 308-632-0473 or Willem Fahrenbruck, VA BHHCS at 605-720-7305. Housing Partners of Western Nebraska is able to serve Veterans in Scotts Bluff and Cheyenne as well as the communities of Bayard, Bridgeport, Kimball and Gordon.