Hoyer Tours LifeStyles of Maryland, Announces Funding to Help House Homeless Veterans
LA PLATA, MD – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) toured LifeStyles of Maryland, Inc. a non-profit organization whose goal is to provide affordable and accessible services to support individuals and their families in Southern Maryland. Following the tour, Congressman Hoyer met with representatives from LifeStyles and community partners to discuss collaborative efforts to meet community needs, and also announce that Southern Maryland will receiveHUD-VASH vouchers to help get homeless veterans into housing.
"Today, I had the opportunity to see firsthand how LifeStyles is a lifeline for many vulnerable families in Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary's Counties," stated Congressman Hoyer. "I am very proud of Executive Director Sandy Washington and her staff and the work they are doing to assist people in our communities. Last December, many of us joined together with LifeStyles to kickoff HUD's annual ‘Point-In-Time' survey, a count of individuals living in shelters and also those individuals who are unsheltered. A 37 percent increase in our numbers from 2013 made the Southern Maryland region eligible for participation in the HUD-VA supportive housing program (HUD-VASH) application process. I'm announcing today that HUD will be allocating 21 HUD-VASH vouchers to Southern Maryland to be used for housing veterans in Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary's counties."
"Fifty years ago, President Johnson declared an unconditional ‘War on Poverty,' but anti-poverty efforts have sadly been in retreat in recent years," continued Congressman Hoyer. "We need to go back on the offensive here in Southern Maryland and allocate resources to help those on the front lines make progress in helping those facing the greatest hardships. Lifestyles has made it their mission to lift up those who have fallen on the hardest of times. I want to thank everyone who played a role in bringing HUD-VASH vouchers to help veterans in our community, which will bring much-needed relief to those who performed their duty to our country and are now asking us to fulfill our duty to them."
The HUD-VASH program provides rental assistance for homeless veterans as well as case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veteran Affairs. HUD will issue the 21 vouchers to the designated public housing authority, which is Calvert County.