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Wash. Attorney General finds housing discrimination against veterans

Washington's Attorney General says a number of property managers in our state denied housing to disabled veterans.

The office of AG Bob Ferguson found companies that were putting forth policies that said they would not comply with Washington law on discrimination.

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This all centers around a program known as Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing vouchers -- or VASH -- and it is used by veterans to pay for housing. Several companies were refusing to accept them.

KIRO 7 met up with Aaron Colyer, who says the HUD-VASH program helped him finally find a new home.

“I cried. I was so happy to know me and shadow have a stable place to be,” said Colyer.

Colyer says he's been a chronically homeless veteran for 10 years. He's not surprised other veterans are told they can't use the vouchers.

“I've faced discrimination in other places. I'm aware of other veterans that have had issues,” he said.

Ferguson says his civil rights division applied to apartment complexes and management companies posing as Veterans hoping to use VASH.

Some companies said their policies wouldn't allow that. Ferguson says eight companies told the AG's office they would end the policy and accept the vouchers -- but two have not.

“We all have an appreciation for the service our veterans provide, and to deny the use of these housing vouchers, which they have earned as a result of their service and sacrifice, is outrageous,” said Ferguson.

In Western Washington, there are a total of four apartment complexes owned by two companies that for now, aren't changing their policy to accept the vouchers -- that includes the owner of the Wildreed Apartments in Everett.

Apartment Management Consultants and Mission Rock Residential are the two companies the AG says won't comply, for now.

KIRO 7 reached out to them but didn't hear back.

Ferguson says if the companies won't comply, his office may take legal action. The full release from the Attorney General can be seen here.