BATON ROUGE - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the City of Baton Rouge co-hosted a meeting on Dec. 4 to discuss efforts aimed at eliminating veteran homelessness in the Capital City.

Officials from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Louisiana Housing Authority, and Volunteers of America of Greater Baton Rouge joined Mayor Holden and HUD representatives shared information about programs and assistance available to landlords that could prove helpful in getting veterans of the U.S. armed forces into permanent housing.

A total of 35 landlords, property owners and stakeholders were on hand to receive background information about the effort, including a video featuring First Lady Michelle Obama. Landlords are encouraged to join the effort to establish a housing preference for veterans that will help them to quickly move into permanent housing and off the streets.

Property owners also received details about Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing vouchers and Section 8 housing protocols. The programs help eligible veterans pay rental costs and fees along with providing wrap-around services to ensure overall stability for vets.

“No veteran who has served our country and protected our freedom should be left to live on the street,” said Mayor Holden as he applauded the work done to shelter 176 veterans since the Mayors Challenge last September.

Mayor Holden accepted the challenge last year when Michelle Obama joined HUD and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in urging mayors across the country to help put an end to homelessness among veterans. He was among the first mayors in the country to accept the challenge.

For more information about the Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness, visit HUD’s website.