Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced on Thursday
that homeless veterans in the city of Salem as well as in Linn, Benton and Lane
counties will receive a total of almost $700,000 in federal vouchers to help
them secure affordable housing, according to a joint press release from the
senators’ offices.
The vouchers will also ensure that homeless veterans will
also have access to support service from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
“Veterans who served our country fully deserve our
support when they return home to Oregon to live and work,” Wyden said.
“Every veteran has earned the right to expect that support to include
housing, and I’ll keep battling for veterans across Oregon and our country to
have a roof over their heads and a floor under their feet.”
“We are all in debt to our veterans for their service,
yet too many veterans struggle to find affordable housing in Oregon,” said
Senator Merkley. “I am happy these housing vouchers will be available to
homeless veterans, and I will keep working to ensure our service members have
the resources and support needed when they come home.”
The money from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development’s Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program will be
distributed as follows:
- Housing Authority & Community Services of Lane County:
$366,216 - Housing Authority of Salem: $183,924
- Linn-Benton Housing Authority: $142,923
“LBHA is extremely honored to have the opportunity to
serve the veterans in our communities of Linn County and Benton County,” said
Donna Holt, Executive Director, Linn-Benton Housing Authority. “This grant
will provide homeless veterans with affordable housing options as well as
supportive services at a time when housing need is at a record high. A grant
such as this, sends the message to our veterans that we honor and respect the
sacrifices they have made for our country.”
English 
Spanish