The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) has announced awards for the Veterans Transitional Housing Pilot Program, providing $400,000 for the provision of transitional and other housing needs for veterans in four areas of the state. The Veterans Transitional Housing Pilot Program, created by the 88^th Texas Legislature, designates $400,000 of Homeless Housing and Services Program (HHSP) funds for each year of the biennium to address the housing needs of veterans experiencing or at-risk of homelessness. 

TDHCA identified Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio as the four areas of the state with the highest population of the targeted population. With the awards announced today, American GI Forum will receive $100,000 to serve veterans in the cities of Dallas and San Antonio, the United States Veterans Initiative will receive $100,000 to serve veterans in Houston, and the Austin-Travis County Mental and Health Retardation Center will administer $200,000 to serve veterans in the Austin service area.

“TDHCA and our partners are focused on tackling the challenges that force our military men and women into homelessness,” said Bobby Wilkinson, TDHCA’s executive director. “These funds can offer a measure of relief for a veteran whose circumstances has prevented him or her to find permanent housing, counseling, job training or other services designed to help lead a life off the streets.”

The Veterans Transitional Housing Pilot Program contracts are set to begin on October 1, 2024, and run through May 31, 2026.