Today, Rep. Pete Aguilar announced the Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino (HACSB) will receive $753,434 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)’s joint HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program.

This funding will be used to provide more affordable housing for Inland Empire veterans, specifically creating 62 additional housing choice vouchers for veterans experiencing homelessness. The grant will also be used to bolster other supportive services like rental assistance and clinical services for veterans experiencing homelessness.

“Veterans who put their lives on the line for our country deserve the peace of mind of knowing they will have a place to call home when they return,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar. “I’m so proud to have helped bring more federal dollars back to the Inland Empire to ensure that every veteran in our community has a roof over their head; and they will soon have more access to other important social services. This funding is not just an embodiment of our gratitude for their service, but a reaffirmation of the promise we make to our service members to have their backs when they come home.”

“When the announcement of additional funding became available, HACSB and Loma Linda VA worked closely together to consider capacity and support to determine the request for additional vouchers needed, of which HACSB submitted the request for 62 VASH vouchers. Having received the award, the 62 additional vouchers will be added to our existing VASH allocation, bringing HACSB’s total to 691 VASH vouchers. We are excited to continue to support housing homeless veterans by providing opportunities to secure safe and affordable housing,” said Maria Razo, Executive Director of HACSB.

“After being discharged from the Marine’s, I battled with addiction. As a result, I moved my wife and two children across the county a couple of times, eventually becoming homeless. Due to our financial history, we were continuously denied for apartments. I was finally introduced to the HUD VASH program where we found a home in a safe community in Rialto. We would have never been able to afford the rent without the help of the Housing Authority. My wife gave birth to our daughter the day we moved into our new home. Our children have a safe community to belong to. I have been sober for three years. Our lives are way, way better and we are so grateful for the close communication and professionalism of those who helped us,” said a U.S. Marine veteran from Rep. Aguilar’s congressional district.

Rep. Aguilar has been a steadfast advocate for veterans’ benefits in Congress, most recently passing a bill to streamline the VA claims process.

Rep. Aguilar serves as Chair of the House Democratic Caucus and is a member of the House Committee on Appropriations.