WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today announced $50,688 in federal funding to provide rental assistance paired with health services for homeless veterans in Youngstown as part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) voucher program. Brown is ranking member of the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee.

“Even one homeless veteran is too many. Our veterans have earned our gratitude and we cannot stand by while some of them face life on the street,” Brown said. “The housing assistance provided through HUD-VASH is an important investment in ensuring that all Youngstown veterans have a place to call home.”

Through the HUD-VASH program, the Youngstown Metropolitan Housing Authority will provide critical rental assistance while working in partnership with the Louis Stokes (Cleveland) VA Medical Center’s Youngstown Outpatient Clinic to provide case management and health services to homeless veterans. The awarded grant will fund housing assistance for approximately 11 veterans.

In April, Brown – the only Ohio Senator to serve a full term on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee – joined the committee to announce its comprehensive Veterans First Act. The Veterans First Act includes a variation of the Veteran Housing Stability Act of 2015, which Brown cosponsored. The bill would increase veterans’ access to permanent housing options by increasing outreach to landlords to encourage renting to veterans, expanding the definition of “homeless veteran” – so more veterans, including those facing domestic abuse, can access housing assistance – providing grants for organizations that support formerly homeless veterans, and advancing research into homelessness.

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