MACV’s housing subsidy programs give low-income Veterans safe, affordable, and supportive housing options. Veterans enrolled in the program pay a portion of their income toward rent, while MACV covers the rest. Case management is paired with financial assistance to help Veterans not only secure housing but also address other barriers to long-term stability.

Below are the stories of two Veterans- but neighbors in the same building—who overcame major challenges to find housing and stability through the subsidy program.

Gary

“Just about everything I have is thanks to MACV.” -Housed Army Veteran Gary

Before connecting with MACV, Gary was staying at the Salvation Army’s Harbor Light Shelter. Gary faced barriers to housing and was unsure how he would achieve housing stability. He later moved into MACV’s transitional housing before finally finding a permanent home through the MACV subsidy program.

In December 2022, the 76-year-old Army Veteran signed the lease on his current apartment—a moment he still remembers as a huge relief. “After knowing the VA wouldn’t help me, I was very surprised to learn MACV would,” Gary shared.

With help from Bridging through MACV, his apartment was fully furnished, and today he shares it with his two cats, Abby and Pepper, who get food through the Meals on Wheels “Ani-Meals” program. With a stable home, Gary has reached a point where he feels comfortable and ready to spend more time socializing and engaging in activities.

Recently, he even decided to come out of retirement. Working with the MACV employment team, he found a new job. His housing subsidy is now ending, but Gary has no plans to leave. Looking around his apartment, he said simply, “This is my home.”

James

“I’ve never felt so welcomed and so taken care of.” -Housed Veteran James

James spent years cycling in and out of homelessness before moving to Minnesota and connecting with MACV. When he first met with his case manager, he doubted he would ever find stable housing. Just 90 days later, with support from MACV’s subsidy program, the 67-year-old Army Veteran moved into his own apartment.

James says that finding stability and being reconnected with VA healthcare has been “life-saving care.” Reflecting on his experiences around the country, he added, “I wish other states had MACV. This is a program that needs to be honored and recognized.”

Gary and James show what’s possible when housing support is paired with ongoing case management. The subsidy program not only helps Veterans afford rent but also gives them the stability to rebuild their lives, reconnect with community, and plan for the future. At MACV, housing is more than a roof—it’s the foundation for lasting change.