VASH program - does accepting application lock me in to anything?

Question

Greetings;

I have a SFH for rent in Milwaukee; (got the work done - back on the market). I showed the house to a woman who is on the VASH voucher.   I told her I would have to look into the program and that I was not currently set up to accept Sec 8.  I would not accept Sec 8 otherwise.   Now, I'm reading all the other threads on this topic - and certainly want to help vets in any way I can.  My concern is:

1) will accepting an application from a VASH holder restrict my ability to decline for 'other' reasons? (not sure what those might be other than prior drugs/evictions).

She's kinda on hold about dropping off the application - so a quick reply is appreciated!

Thanks

Kelly

Dan Krupa · Answer

@Kelly G., I have to agree with @Gail Kaitschuck . I spent 24 months in combat as an infantry officer and did another deployment to West Africa in a specialized unit. The vast majority of vets who go to war never see any real combat.  Many vets are homeless because the military never forced them to learn how to be financially independent. The military has created systems that force new soldiers to learn almost no basic adult functions.(things that are provided with little to no effort by the soldier: finding a house on base, making said house payment, automatic bank deposits, medical appointments, no payment for medical treatment, etc...)

With that said - I wouldn't be against VASH. I would accept the application and run it like any other applicant. If they meet your criteria and seem good - why not? You now have guaranteed deposits every month.  Stay fair and this can't be an issue.

Gail K. · Answer

Kelly....My feeling on this program.

I worked for many years in a VA Medical Center (retired last year after 30 years).   Some of our vets in the VASH program did well but many were homeless for reasons that had nothing to do with their military experiences (one has to remember that many veterans never saw a day of combat during their military careers).    Many had histories of substance abuse and, unfortunately, ended up homeless after having run through the good graces of every family member.   Some do well in this program, others do not.  The good news is that local VAMC's that work with the program tend to monitor these veterans closely.

Don't accept a veteran simply because they are a vet.   And please understand I'm not putting veterans down; my father, my ex-husbands father, my partners father and my youngest son were/are all veterans.    I'm simply suggesting that one use the same screening tools that you would use for non-veterans when reviewing an application.

Gail

Gail K. · Answer

Just as with a non-VASH applicant, simply accepting an application does not mean you are automatically accepting this person.

Keep in mind that your house would need to go through an inspection process (and it would be done by the same inspectors who handle your local Section 8 program).  At this point you're not even certain if your house will pass inspection.

VASH participants typically pay at least a portion of their rent.  Again, without an application you have not gotten to the point of even screening this person.

Gail

Warren Wong · Answer

Diane, do you mean that if the tenant is unable to pay their rent via their own income, that the VASH will guarantee 100% of the rent payment to the landlord? Is there any document or websites validating this?

Gail K. · Answer

"Would VASH resolve this???? "

The idea of VASH is that veterans on this program do not continue to receive their vouchers forever.   While responsible for a relative small portion of the rent and their utilities, participants are encouraged to find employment (and the VA will sometimes help; some of our food service workers were on this program) and save their finances until, eventually, they are able to become independent and no longer need the VASH voucher.   Their voucher is then turned over to the next veteran waiting on the program (in many VAMC's there was always a waiting list).

The best candidate is an applicant who either has some employment or other means of support (a pension, a service connected disability) so they can meet their rent and utility requirements.  Many homeless veterans will have at least one or more of these; either just not enough that they can afford entire housing needs on their own or a poor history of money management.

Keep in mind that, as in the case of any tenant with a substance abuse history (especially drugs) it would be important for a landlord to monitor "guests", especially during the first few days of the month when checks come in.

Gail

Kelly G. · Answer

All valid points - and I would not accept her just  because she is a vet;  but I would consider a program I would not otherwise look at because she is a vet.

Anyway - I will continue to investigate this program and her application.  Although - she does not meet any  of my screening criteria: insufficient income (hence the VASH program); and >1 prior eviction for $$ reasons Before  her acceptance into the VASH program.  Would VASH resolve this????  I have spoken with her VA case manager and learned that she would still be responsible for 30% of the rent and all utilities/water - which in winter could run > $200/mo.  I have to weigh how this fits in my 'criteria'   - it is feeling like more than I want to take on.

Thanks for your time

Kelly

Kelly G. · Answer

Thanks @Gail Kaitschuck - yeah - I get that I'm not 'accepting' the applicant - I guess I'm being a little overly-cautious about 'fairness';  I would not otherwise accept a Sec 8 applicant, and I've kinda been of the impression that if I take an application, then I have to 'run' it like any other when I may decide I don't want to participate in the VASH program.  I can't imagine the house wouldn't 'pass' inspection -

thanks for your time - so much to learn . . .

Kelly

VASH program - does accepting application lock me in to anything?

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