The Veterans Housing and Homelessness Prevention program (VHHP) is making $75 million in funding available, beginning November 8, 2019, to assist in developing housing opportunities for California’s veterans, especially those at risk of homelessness or experiencing temporary or chronic homelessness. Awards will be made to qualifying developers and nonprofit entities to construct, acquire, rehabilitate, or preserve affordable multifamily housing for our veterans and their families.

The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA), and the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) are administrators of the VHHP program. To date, the program has awarded approximately $294 million to 63 developments in four prior funding rounds. These 63 developments are expected to create homes for more than 2,300 veterans in need.

“Our veterans deserve the very best housing solution we can provide,” said CalVet Secretary, Vito Imbasciani MD. “VHHP has become the beacon of hope for our veterans experiencing homelessness or facing housing instability. With the help of our partners, HCD, and CalHFA, at risk veterans in California can find a place to call home.”

“The VHHP program is helping veterans regain a sense of place, pride, and most importantly, peace,” said Acting HCD Director, Doug McCauley. “The millions of men and women who were brave enough to serve our country should not have to fight another battle once they return home.”

On any given night, nearly 11,000 veterans experience homelessness in California, while countless veteran households face the instability of severe housing cost burden. Housing instability and homelessness among women veterans with children and veterans with disabilities are also on the rise. The service-rich communities being developed through VHHP program funding employ the Housing First model and address many of the challenges that vulnerable veterans face and support their movement toward housing stability.

Applications are due on February 13, 2020. To assist applicants, workshops are planned for developers, sponsors, and other interested parties at the following locations:

California Department of Veterans Affairs - CalVet’s mission is to serve all of California’s veterans and their families. With nearly 1.6 million veterans living in the state, CalVet strives to ensure that our veterans of every era and their families get the state and federal benefits and services they have earned as a result of their military service. To learn more on how CalVet assists veterans, visit www.CalVet.ca.gov.

California Department of Housing and Community Development – HCD is dedicated to the preservation and expansion of safe and affordable housing so more Californians have a place to call home. Our team works to ensure an adequate supply of housing for Californians and promotes the growth of strong communities through its leadership, policy, and program development. For more information, please visit www.hcd.ca.gov.

California Housing Finance Agency – For more than 40 years, CalHFA has supported the needs of renters and homebuyers by providing financing and programs so more low to moderate income Californians have a place to call home. Established in 1975, CalHFA was chartered as the state's affordable housing lender. The Agency’s Multifamily Division finances affordable rental housing through partnerships with jurisdictions, developers and more, while its Single Family Division provides first mortgage loans and down payment assistance to first time homebuyers. CalHFA is a completely self-supporting state agency, and its bonds are repaid by revenues generated through mortgage loans, not taxpayer dollars. Learn more at www.CalHFA.ca.gov.