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By Vincent Medina, Contributing Writer
NORWALK — Norwalk officials took two actions Tuesday aimed at preventing homelessness and helping unhoused residents, including accepting 18 new federal housing vouchers for veterans and approving additional funding for the city’s homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing programs.
During the Norwalk Housing Authority meeting, commissioners accepted a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing grant providing the city with 18 HUD-VASH vouchers and $313,356 in federal funding.
The HUD-VASH program combines rental assistance from HUD with supportive services provided through the Department of Veterans Affairs for unhoused veterans and their families.
“As we continue to address homelessness and assistance for affordability, these vouchers are a huge, huge assistance for our veterans,” City Manager Jesus Gomez said.
Gomez credited Housing Authority staff member Bethany Cardenas with persistently pursuing the funding.
Cardenas explained that the VA identifies eligible unhoused veterans and refers them to the Norwalk Housing Authority. Once a veteran qualifies, the authority issues a voucher to subsidize rent while the VA provides ongoing supportive services.
Norwalk began applying for the vouchers in August 2025, received confirmation of the award in June 2026 and began receiving funding Aug. 1.
The entire $313,356 award is federally funded and has no impact on Norwalk’s General Fund.
“This action aligns perfectly with the Norwalk Housing Authority’s Five Year Plan and directly supports the City’s strategic goals by improving conditions for residents in need and building a more resilient community,” Cardenas said.
Councilmember Tony Ayala asked whether unhoused veterans from Norwalk would receive preference for the 18 vouchers. Cardenas said they would.
“The City of Norwalk will always get preference with the Norwalk Housing Authority,” Cardenas said. “So once we have a waiting list and if there’s too many, more than 18, then we’ll do a lottery, but Norwalk first.”
Mayor Jennifer Perez, who also chairs the Housing Authority, praised Cardenas for securing the award. “I remember the day you got the email that this was officially signed, sealed and the check was coming,” Perez said. “You worked really hard on this and this is definitely one of those days where the impact far exceeds the dollar sign. Congratulations. I am so, so excited that we get to move forward with this.”
Commissioners approved the grant award and amended the Housing Authority’s administrative plan to formally incorporate the HUD-VASH program.
Later, during the City Council meeting, councilmembers unanimously approved an additional $174,700 from the Low- and Moderate-Income Housing Asset Fund for Norwalk’s Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program.
The council also approved a new agreement with Kingdom Causes Bellflower to provide homelessness prevention and housing services.
Kingdom Causes Bellflower has worked with Norwalk for years and has more than two decades of experience providing outreach, case management, landlord engagement, rental assistance and rapid rehousing services in Southeast Los Angeles County, according to city staff.
The agreement authorizes up to $250,000 for services from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, with options for as many as four additional one-year extensions.
“In addition to financial support, KCB’s model covers outreach, case management, landlord engagement, transportation and compliance reporting services expanded to support foster youth and veterans, ensuring that each household receives a tailored plan to enhance long-term stability,” city staff member Bethany Wilson said.
Wilson said Kingdom Causes Bellflower anticipates serving as many as 225 Norwalk households, with approximately 20 to 60 households receiving direct financial assistance depending on need.
Norwalk’s Low- and Moderate-Income Housing Asset Fund has supported the city’s Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program, which provides rental assistance intended to prevent homelessness and help at-risk residents obtain stable housing.
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