More veterans facing homelessness will have expanded access to affordable housing in the city of Madison thanks to new funding and guidance from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
HUD is awarding a total of $20 million to 243 public housing agencies across the country, including $68,320 for Madison’s Community Development Authority (CDA), to improve the HUD–Department of Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program. The program helps veterans experiencing homelessness find housing and support through the pairing of vouchers to help them pay their rent with case management and other supportive services through the VA.
With the additional funds, the CDA will be able to help veterans in the program pay for things like rental application fees, security deposits, and moving costs.
Those who make up to 80% of the area median income will now be eligible for the program. Previously, eligibility was limited to those making up to 50% of the area median income. HUD is also changing the definition of income for participants in the program to exclude the veterans’ service-connected disability benefits. Previously, those benefits had counted as income, causing some veterans to exceed previous income thresholds.
In Madison, 80% of the area median income translates to up to $68,500 for a single person or $88,050 for a household of three, according to HUD’s 2024 calculations.
