Active Duty Military/Veterans and their families have been at the heart of many of the programs of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) -- even before HUD became a Federal Department.

After World War II, Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage insurance combined with Veteran's Administration mortgage guarantees to help returning veterans achieve the American dream and buy their own homes in record numbers. FHA mortgages and mortgage insurance and the secondary mortgage markets created through the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) have helped make home mortgages affordable for veterans and other working families. Since 1965 HUD has coordinated these and many other Federal efforts to improve housing and strengthen communities for all Americans.

HUD is committed to resolving the issue of homelessness for all Americans, including active duty military as well as veterans and their families. The HUD Veteran Resource Center (HUDVET) was created for you as a result of a unique partnership between National Veteran Service Organizations and HUD. This directory is designed to increase your knowledge of and participation in the wide variety of HUD homeless assistance programs and services for veterans and other individuals who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

HUD's Office of Community Community Planning and Development (CPD), in consultation with national veteran service organizations, has established a Veteran Resource Center (HUDVET). CPD's goal is to provide veterans and their family members with information on HUD's community-based programs and services. It is our hope that, equipped with this knowledge, armed forces personnel and veterans can become more involved in the community-based planning and decision-making process as well as utilization of services and local resources.

In addition to its special focus on veterans who are homeless, HUDVET is also a source of information on other HUD and related Federal programs, such those to combat domestic violence, enhance community and economic development, aid runaway youth, and increase affordable housing for senior citizens and Americans with disabilities.