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VA Announces Nearly $100 Million in SSVF Grants

July 17, 2012

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced today the award of nearly $100 million in grants that will help approximately 42,000 homeless and at-risk veterans and their families. The grants are going to 151 community agencies in 49 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

“We are committed to ending veteran homelessness in America,” said Shinseki. “These grants will help VA and community organizations reach out and prevent at-risk veterans from losing their homes.”

Under the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program, VA is awarding grants to private nonprofit organizations and consumer cooperatives that provide services to very low-income veteran families living in – or transitioning to – permanent housing. Those community organizations provide a range of services that promote housing stability among eligible very low-income veteran families.

Under the grants, homeless providers will offer veterans and their family members outreach, case management, assistance in obtaining VA benefits and assistance in getting other public benefits. Community-based groups can offer temporary financial assistance on behalf of veterans for rent payments, utility payments, security deposits and moving costs.

This is the program’s second year. Last year, VA provided about $60 million to assist 22,000 veterans and family members.

In 2009, President Obama and Secretary Shinseki announced the federal government’s goal to end veteran homelessness by 2015. The grants are intended to help accomplish that goal. According to the 2011 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report to Congress, homelessness among veterans has declined 12 percent since January 2010.

Through the homeless veterans initiative, VA committed $800 million in FY 2011 to strengthen programs that prevent and end homelessness among veterans. VA provides a range of services to homeless veterans, including health care, housing, job training, and education.

To view a list of 2012 SSVF grantees, click here.

More information about VA’s homeless programs is available at www.va.gov/homeless. Details about the Supportive Services for Veteran Families program are online at www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp.

The VA (granted by Congress) has recently awarded 60 million to 85 agencies across the US. One of which is our very own Alameda County Coalition for Veteran Families (consisting of Operation Dignity Abode Services, LifeLong Medical Care and Building Futures with Women and Children) a $1 million grant to help homeless and at-risk veteran families find and keep housing.

We are pleased that Congress and the VA have finally decided to support the families of Veterans and see that they are included in a range of services. The goal is to maintain housing stability and rapidly rehouse those who may lose their housing.  We are excited to bring you additional details.

Currently the Coalition is creating Policy & Procedure documentation for this brand new program. We hope to see a signed contract soon and are already in search of additional Case Managers and Outreach. We will then begin to seek those in need and additional agencies to help assist with those needs.  Once again, as with Per Diem, Operation Dignity is leading the way in helping our Veterans!

Additional details about this grant may be found HERE