HUD-VASH: the Section 8 program specifically for veterans

Last updated June 21, 2026

Veterans have access to a specialized version of the Section 8 program that pairs rental assistance with VA supportive services. It's called HUD-VASH — the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program — and it's specifically designed for veterans who are homeless or at serious risk of becoming homeless.

If you're a veteran, understanding the difference between HUD-VASH and the standard Housing Choice Voucher program helps you access the right assistance through the right channel.

What HUD-VASH is

HUD-VASH is a partnership between the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Veterans Affairs. HUD funds the housing vouchers; the VA provides the supportive services — case management, mental health treatment, substance use counseling, and other services veterans experiencing homelessness frequently need alongside stable housing.

The program was created on the premise that housing stability is often a prerequisite for other recovery and wellness outcomes — and that vouchers without support services often don't work for veterans with complex needs. HUD-VASH addresses both.

Since its expansion starting in 2008, HUD-VASH has housed more than 175,000 veterans and remains one of the most effective targeted homeless assistance programs in the country.

How HUD-VASH differs from regular Section 8

You apply through the VA, not the housing authority. The VA identifies eligible veterans, assesses their needs, and refers them to the local housing authority for a voucher. You don't go on a standard waiting list.

Supportive services are part of the package. VA case managers work with HUD-VASH participants to help them find housing, navigate the application and inspection process, and address underlying issues. This support is what distinguishes HUD-VASH from a standard voucher — and it's why veterans with significant needs often do better with HUD-VASH than with a regular voucher alone.

The vouchers are set aside specifically for veterans. Congress appropriates HUD-VASH vouchers separately from the general HCV program. Local housing authorities receive allocations specifically to administer HUD-VASH, so these vouchers don't compete with the standard waiting list.

You must use VA services. HUD-VASH participation requires engagement with VA case management and supportive services as a condition of the program. This is not optional — it's part of what makes HUD-VASH different. If you stop engaging with VA services without good cause, you can lose your HUD-VASH voucher.

The unit works the same way. Once you have a HUD-VASH voucher, finding housing, passing inspection, and calculating your rent share work the same as the standard HCV program. You look for a willing landlord, the unit passes HQS inspection, and you pay approximately 30% of your adjusted income in rent.

Who qualifies

To be eligible for HUD-VASH, you must be:

1. A veteran — meaning you served on active duty in the U.S. military and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable
2. Eligible for VA healthcare — the VA determines this based on service history and discharge status
3. Currently experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk — living in a shelter, transitional housing, or a place not meant for human habitation, or at serious risk of losing current housing within 14 days
4. In need of case management services — the VA's clinical assessment determines whether HUD-VASH is the right fit

Income limits apply the same as the standard HCV program — you must be below the Very Low Income limit (50% of Area Median Income) for your area.

Veterans who are housed but struggling financially, or who want to apply for standard Section 8, go through the regular HCV process instead.

How to access HUD-VASH

Contact your nearest VA Medical Center or a VA community-based outpatient clinic. Tell them you're a veteran experiencing homelessness or housing instability and that you'd like to be assessed for HUD-VASH.

If you're currently in a shelter or transitional housing program, the program staff there may already have connections to the local VA and can help with the referral. Many VA medical centers also have a HUD-VASH coordinator you can contact directly.

The VA's National Call Center for Homeless Veterans is available 24/7 at 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838). This is the fastest entry point if you're not sure where to start.

If you don't qualify for HUD-VASH

Veterans who are not currently homeless, or who are housed and simply looking for rental assistance, use the standard Housing Choice Voucher program. Many housing authorities give preference points to veterans on their standard waiting lists — meaning veterans may be called forward faster than other applicants. See Section 8 waiting list preferences for how preferences work.

Veterans with disabilities may also qualify for reasonable accommodations that make the program more accessible — see reasonable accommodations: your rights if you have a disability.

If you're a veteran and you're also experiencing a disability that affects your housing situation, the combination of HCV preferences, HUD-VASH eligibility, and reasonable accommodation rights gives you more options than most applicants. A VA social worker or case manager can help you navigate which path makes the most sense for your specific situation.