At least 10 homeless veterans in the Meridian area will soon find affordable housing through a partnership among the Meridian Housing Authority, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Jackson Veterans Administrative Medical Center.

HUD awarded the Meridian Housing Authority $61,734 to provide permanent housing assistance to local veterans who experience chronic homelessness.

“This is an historical day to be able to continue to provide quality housing for our veterans,” Meridian Housing Authority Commission Chairman Wilbert Jones said during a news conference Wednesday.

MHA Executive Director Ron Turner said help for area veterans has had the agency’s attention for some time.

“We were fortunate to receive the funding from HUD to at least implement a veterans program to at least house 10 families,” Turner said. “We’re excited about receiving the funding to implement the program. I met with HUD officials this morning to discuss this program and we’re ready to get this program started. After it was determined Meridian does have a large number of homeless veterans, HUD awarded our housing authority to provide permanent housing for these homeless veterans.”

Formerly known as Section 8, HUD’s Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program combines Housing House Voucher rental assistance for homeless veterans with case management and clinical services to be provided by the G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery Jackson VA Medical Center and Meridian Housing Authority. MHS will also provide office space to expedite services to the homeless veterans in Meridian. Every year since 2008, HUD and the VA have awarded HUD-VASH vouchers based on geographic need and the public housing agency’s administrative performance.

The allocation process includes three sets of dates that include HUD’s date submitted by a continuum of care, Jackson’s VA data on the number of contacts with homeless veterans in an affected area, and administrative performance data from the MHA, which has been designated a standard of high performing over the past five years.

“This program is modeled as a housing choice program,” Turner said. “The local housing authority provides applicants with landlord lists to see if landlords will accept the vouchers. We just want veterans to know these vouchers are available effective immediately. If a family feels like they qualify for vouchers, they need to contact Derrick Moore at the Jackson VA office.”

Moore can be reached at the Jackson VA office by calling 601-362-4471, Ext. 51691 or 1-800-949-1009, Ext. 51691.

“This is a new program. I know there will be knocks on our door after this press conference,” Turner said. “Those who apply have to be qualified through the Veterans Administration. Eligibility requirements are met through the Jackson office. We will issue the vouchers after the VA communicates to us they have qualified for the vouchers.”

Turner said his office is anticipating more funding in the future. 

As a veteran herself, L.O.V.E.’s Kitchen Executive Director Fannie Johnson said she’s on board with the project. 

“We don’t have a lot of homeless veterans that I know of, but if we can help homeless veterans, I’m all for that,” Johnson said.

MHA Commissioner Rob Arline said he was all for the program.

“Once selected, these vouchers are affordable,” Arline said. “If the veterans have to relocate, the vouchers will go with them. The program has two big keys to me. The vouchers provide the ability to go out and seek open market rents and it pays the property owner directly. Secondly, affordability is its biggest key.”

At Wednesday’s press conference, Turner recognized Marika Baliko, who is with Mississippi United to End Homelessness. The organization helps homeless veterans through services such as short-term rental and assistance, utility assistance and help with case management.

Lauderdale County Veterans Services Office officials Jeff Sibley and Brenda Ethridge were also recognized.