By Terrance Thornton
Digital Free Press
Scottsdale is moving forward with accepting federal grant dollars meant to provide vital access for American veterans experiencing homelessness a pathway toward affordable, sustainable housing.
Scottsdale City Council, through its consent agenda adoption a part of its May 3 meeting, approved Resolution No. 12455, which initiates a budget transfer of $150,244 from the already adopted existing future grants budget for this current fiscal year, according to a city staff report.
The city of Scottsdale’s fiscal year ends June 30 of the calendar year.
In his report to City Council, Greg Bestgen, Scottsdale Human Services manager, outlines the supportive housing grant accepted and now deployed for Scottsdale veterans in need.
“The HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program combines HUD’s housing choice voucher rental assistance for homeless veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs,” he said in his report to council.
“The VA provides these services for participating Veterans at VA Medical Centers, community-based outreach clinics, through VA contractors, or through other VA designated entities. Each year, HUD and VA have collaboratively awarded HUD-VASH vouchers based on current geographic need and public housing agency performance.”
City officials say HUD and the VA determined Scottsdale eligible to administer the program and awarded funds from HUD-VASH from its fiscal year ‘21 allocation.
Irma Hollamby Cain, Scottsdale Community Assistance Office manager, explains in the city council report the grant dollars will have an immediate impact to veterans in need.
“Acceptance of the grant would fund the HUD-VASH program staffing necessary to carry out the responsibilities of providing veterans in the Scottsdale jurisdiction with immediate access to permanent housing,” she said in the report.
