THE URBAN AMERICAN VETERANS HOUSING INITIATIVE

Urban American Management

INTRODUCTION Working primarily in the New York metropolitan area, Urban American

Management manages dozens of properties and focuses on developing quality, affordable housing. A community-conscious company, Urban American Management formed its Veterans Housing Initiative (VHI) in 2012 with the aim of helping returning veterans integrate back into civilian life through the provision of affordable housing.

The process of reintegration is something with which many veterans struggle. According to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Point-in-Time (PIT) estimates, which are determined annually to track the level of homelessness in the U.S., approximately 13,000 veterans were without homes in January 2016.

VHI confronts this issue by ensuring that eligible veterans are able to receive extensive discounts on homes. These include the chance to have their first month’s rent paid and, for veterans who enroll in college through the G.I. Bill that was established in 1944 to help such individual readjust to civilian life, receive discounts on their security deposits.