"The tenants usually choose a location close to employment, transportation and health care," Cramer said.
Census data shows that 71,627 veterans live in Baltimore County, with about 3.6 percent of them living below the poverty line. Nationwide, veterans make up a third of the homeless population, according to the VA.
"These vets don't want a handout, but they need help," Cramer said.
The need will continue, particularly as veterans return from Iraq and Afghanistan, officials said.
"The things we saw overseas come back and bother us later in life, especially the Vietnam vets," said Church, the Navy veteran. "When they start coming back from this war, look out."
The voucher program streamlines what can be a complicated housing process, said Meg Ferguson, who coordinates veterans affairs in Baltimore County. "Veterans are proud, and it's difficult getting them to accept help," she said. "The good news is that a lot will work their way out of a crisis, turn in the voucher and transition into another program. Then the voucher can go to another in crisis."
