Fontana, CA — The City of Fontana is proud to join communities across the nation in celebrating a monumental victory for veterans experiencing homelessness. Thanks to tireless advocacy from local leaders and the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) Task Force on Homelessness, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), new policies have been enacted to expand housing access for veterans.

Recently, HUD announced significant changes aimed at improving veterans’ eligibility for housing assistance under the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program, including:

• Exclusion of Disability Benefits from Income Calculations: The updated policy removes veterans’ service-connected disability benefits from annual income calculations for HUD-VASH applicants. This will allow more veterans, particularly those with severe disabilities, to secure housing without having to forfeit benefits.

• Expansion of Income Eligibility: Public housing agencies will now set initial income eligibility for veterans at 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), up from the previous 50%, broadening the number of veterans who can access housing assistance.

The policy changes reflect the collective effort of local leaders, including Fontana’s Mayor and participation in the USCM Task Force on Homelessness, which has been instrumental in advocating for these reforms.

“This is a great day for our veterans who have bravely served our country, and it highlights what we can accomplish when we come together for a common cause. These policy changes will have a real and lasting impact on the lives of those who have sacrificed so much. Our work does not end here, and we will continue to advocate for long-term solutions to address homelessness in our community, said Fontana Mayor and Taskforce Member, Acquanetta Warren.”

The City of Fontana will continue to work closely with local housing authorities to align with HUD’s new policies. This breakthrough comes on the heels of the Treasury Department-issued tax guidance excluding VA service-connected disability benefits from income for low-income housing tax credits (LIHTC) and exempt facility bond-financed projects, further bolstering housing access for veterans.

As Fontana continues to lead on issues related to homelessness, these recent changes reflect the power of unified, national advocacy and the city’s commitment to supporting vulnerable populations.