Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Representative Dan Maffei today announced $530,230 in federal funding for cities and towns throughout Central New York. The funds were allocated through two Housing and Urban Development programs, the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) and the Family Self Sufficiency Program (FSS). Both programs are aimed at curbing the various struggles that low-income and homeless individuals face on a daily basis. Specifically, the FSS program provides training, education, and help with housing, giving the family or individual, time to develop and achieve self-sufficiency within the community. The second program, VASH, works with the Department of Veteran Affairs, with a direct goal of ending homelessness for veterans.
“One homeless family is one too many, and we must do everything to help provide people with a comfortable place to live,” said Senator Schumer. “This federal funding will help homeless veterans and families find affordable housing in Central New York, as well as help them find meaningful employment, which is critical to helping them get back on their feet. Our veterans willingly risked life and limb for our country and this investment will provide them with the services they need to build a life here in Upstate New York.”
“Everyone in Central New York deserves to have a safe quality place to live,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This funding will help our veterans and homeless families get the resources and assistance they need so they can have a safe place to call home and are able to gain additional skills so they can find good-paying jobs. This kind of investment will help keep more New Yorkers and their families off the streets.”
“These programs are truly life-saving for homeless veterans and families in Central New York,” said Rep. Maffei. “This important federal funding will provide much-needed assistance and services to veterans and families who are homeless and help them get back on their feet once again. I am proud to support the HUD-VASH and FSS programs and will continue to advocate for critical funding to improve the lives of some of the most vulnerable in our community.”
Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) funds
The Village of Manlius in Onondaga County will receive $74,524 in federal VASH program funds.
Family Self Sufficiency Program (FSS) funds
The City of Oswego Community Development Office in Oswego County will receive $46,747 in FSS funds; the Ithaca Housing Authority in Tompkins County will receive $136,214; the Syracuse Housing Authority in Onondaga County will receive $204,321. The Utica Housing Authority will also receive $68,424 in federal FSS program funds.
HUD’s Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program provides housing vouchers and a range of support services for homeless veterans and their families. HUD’s Family Self Sufficiency program assists local social services agencies, community colleges, businesses and other local organizations in providing education and job training in order to help those participating in HUD’s housing voucher program and living in public housing gain marketable jobs skills. This program will help those utilizing housing assistance programs gain the education and skills needed to find and retain good jobs and become self-sufficient.