HUD to spend $616K on rental help for Colorado veterans

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development says it will spend nearly $616,000 in rental assistance to help homeless veterans in Colorado find homes.

HUD regional director Rick Garcia announced the funding Monday in Colorado Springs, joined by Mayor Steve Bach.

The money will be divided up among the state and local housing authorities to help veterans in Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, the Denver area and Durango.

The biggest chunk, about $362,000 will go to the Jefferson County Housing Authority. Colorado Springs will get nearly $179,000.

The Obama administration has set a goal of ending homelessness among veterans by the end of the year. According to HUD, veteran homelessness has dropped by about a third since 2010. But a survey early last year estimated there are about 50,000 homeless veterans nationally.