HUD HCV Guidebook § 4.8

Because the HUD-VASH program is targeted to provide housing to homeless veterans, in most cases
of family break-up, the voucher must remain with the veteran.15 This requirement overrides any PHA
policies to the contrary on how to determine who remains in the program in the event of a family
break up.

The major exception to this rule is if a veteran’s family member is receiving protection as a victim of
domestic violence, dating violence, stalking or sexual assault and the veteran is the perpetrator of
such violence, the victim must continue to be assisted.

Upon termination of a veteran-perpetrator’s HUD-VASH voucher due to the veteran-perpetrator’s acts
of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault, the victim receiving VAWA
protections may be given a regular HCV if one is available, and the perpetrator’s HUD-VASH voucher
can be used to serve another eligible veteran family. If a regular HCV is not available for the victim,
the victim will continue to utilize the HUD-VASH voucher and the perpetrator must be removed from
the household. In the case of the victim utilizing the HUD-VASH voucher upon termination of the
perpetrator, the HUD-VASH voucher must be issued to another eligible veteran family upon the
voucher’s turnover.

If the veteran dies or is incarcerated, the voucher remains with the remaining members of the tenant
family. The PHA may use one of its own vouchers to continue assisting this family and free up a
voucher for another HUD-VASH eligible family. If a regular voucher is not available, the family will
continue utilizing the HUD-VASH voucher. Once the HUD-VASH voucher turns over, however, it must
go to a homeless veteran family.