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Board agrees to reallocate 25 VASH vouchers to WHEDA to speed housing placements for veterans
Summary
To increase utilization and speed placements for homeless veterans, the board approved a one‑time reallocation of 25 VASH vouchers from HACM to the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA); HUD and VA supported the move.
The Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee on July 9 voted to request that HUD reallocate 25 Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) vouchers from HACM to the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA), a move advocates and HUD officials recommended to increase placement rates for homeless veterans.
Ken Barbow (staff) told commissioners that HACM holds 372 VASH vouchers, including 101 project-based vouchers at the National Soldiers Home. Agency utilization historically ranged between roughly 275 and 290 active vouchers; some vouchers remained unused because of referrals, inspection and lease-up delays. WHEDA currently operates a smaller VASH portfolio with a reported utilization rate of about 98%; staff and the VA told HACM that WHEDA has the capacity and a larger geographic catchment area that could help house veterans more quickly.
Barbow said HUD and the VA supported reallocating 25 vouchers to WHEDA; the reallocation was characterized as a one-time transfer to increase housing placements. Commissioners asked whether the change is permanent; Barbow said the transfer is not structured as a temporary loan — if HACM sought vouchers later, WHEDA (and HUD) would have to agree and reallocate them back. The board also discussed that HACM will lose the housing assistance payments and administrative fees tied to the 25 vouchers once they are moved to another agency.
A motion to approve the reallocation request passed on a roll-call vote with all commissioners present voting Aye (Commissioner Paz Clasen; Commissioner Burrell; Chair Hazlett; Vice Chair Gotsler; Commissioner Moore).
Ending: Staff said the reallocation is intended to put unused vouchers into use more rapidly to house veterans; HUD will process the reallocation request and WHEDA will administer the vouchers if approved.
