Mayor’s Fund to be used for veterans program

With the Veterans Day deadline fast approaching, Mayor Steve Adler announced yesterday that he will be using private donations to supplement the vouchers that veterans will use to pay rent as part of the Mayor’s Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness. The effort aims to secure housing by Nov. 11 for Austin’s homeless veterans, of which there are more than 200. In a statement to the press, Adler explained that housing affordability has impacted the plan. “It has been a challenge to find enough rental units that meet the voucher requirements and rent for $800 per month or less,” said Adler. “With private donations, we are expanding the number of eligible apartments for our veterans.” A press release explained that the funding is already in place but the specific subsidy amount was not yet determined. “Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO) will assist with getting the rent subsidy program started while the Austin Apartment Association will aggressively market the program change to its members as well as the many support services available to help veterans successfully make the transition out of homelessness.” The challenge is part of a nationwide push to end veteran homelessness.