Almost three dozen homeless veterans in Richmond got a boost from the federal government today in their search for housing and services to keep them off the street.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development said it would give $242,206 to the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority to provide housing and supports to 35 homeless veterans in the city.

Nationally, HUD is giving 10,000 vouchers for rental assistance to 129 public housing agencies to help homeless veterans. The federal housing agency also is working with the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide supportive services and case management through Veterans Administration medical centers to eligible veterans who are homeless.

"We are thankful to our nation's veterans who sacrificed so much for us when they signed up to serve this country," said William P. Miles, HUD field office director. "This program is a measure of our gratefulness and demonstrates our commitment to serve our veterans as they once served us."