CHANDLER, Ariz. – The City of Chandler recently was awarded 10 vouchers to provide housing to veterans experiencing homeless under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH). This program combines HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher Program rental assistance for veterans experiencing homelessness with case management and clinical services provided by the Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC).

The case managers at the local VAMC are responsible for referring eligible homeless veterans to the City. Interested veterans who are experiencing homelessness and need a referral should contact their local VAMC directly. Also, veterans experiencing homelessness who want to be connected to VA services and programs and other community services, may call 1-877-4AID VET (877-424-3838).

These additional vouchers to assist local veterans add to the City’s strategy of addressing housing affordability in its community. For the past 50 years, the City of Chandler’s Public Housing Authority has owned and operated public housing designated for low-income families. The inventory consists of 303 units for families, veterans and seniors.

Part of the City’s strategic plan over the next five years is to reposition its public housing stock through a HUD program called Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD), which allows public housing authorities to transition out of public housing into a project-based voucher. This partnership allows the City to leverage debt in the private market to construct new sites.

By utilizing HUD’s RAD program, Chandler was able to bring its current project – Villas on McQueen – to fruition. Villas on McQueen is a five-acre, 157-unit development that will include a multigenerational community space and park area located at the southeast corner of McQueen Road and Chandler Boulevard. Villas on McQueen will break ground in early 2024. 

In addition to its public housing sites, Chandler manages several programs to help residents with housing assistance, including Housing Choice Vouchers, Tenant Based Rental Assistance and Emergency Home Vouchers. Information on these programs can be found at chandleraz.gov/affordablehousing.

Chandler’s Public Housing Authority also has plans to redevelop two of its existing public housing sites. A request for proposal for this project will be issued in early March of this year.