CAS3
06-16-03, 11:22 AM
VA Accepting Applications for Homeless Program Grants
WASHINGTON (June 12, 2003) - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
is accepting applications from public and nonprofit private groups for $8
million in grants to develop or expand programs that help veterans recover
from homelessness.
"No man or woman who has worn our nation's uniforms should suffer
the indignity of homelessness," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony
J. Principi. "VA is committed to treating homeless veterans' illnesses and
disabilities and to providing them with transitional housing while they make
their move to self-sufficiency."
Since 1994, VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program has
provided assistance to community and faith-based organizations, Indian
tribal governments, as well as state and local governments that provide
critical services to homeless veterans. Grants can provide up to 65 percent
of the cost of acquiring, constructing or renovating facilities that will be
used for housing, as service centers or to purchase vans for transportation.
This program provided housing to more than 10,000 homeless veterans last
year.
In the past nine years, VA has awarded more than 300 grants totaling
$63 million to public and nonprofit groups in 45 states and the District of
Columbia to provide transitional housing, service centers and vans to
provide transportation to services and employment. The program has made
nearly 6,000 beds available to homeless veterans. VA expects this year's
funds to make an additional 800 beds available.
The deadline for applications is July 18. To learn requirements and
obtain a grant application package, applicants should contact the Grant and
Per Diem Program at (toll-free) 1-877-332-0334 or download the application
from VA's Homeless Assistance Programs and Initiatives web page at:
<http://www.va.gov/homeless> The application package contains all required
forms and certifications.
The first of three priorities for this year's capital grant funding
is for programs located in the seven states that currently have no VA-funded
programs for homeless veterans: Alaska, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, North
Dakota, New Hampshire and Wyoming (approximately $1.4 million). The second
funding priority is for programs affiliated with Indian tribal governments
(approximately $1.4 million). Third, approximately $5.2 million is
available for all other state and local governments, faith-based and
community-based organizations.
One-third of adult homeless men and nearly one-quarter of all
homeless adults are veterans. Competition for VA's homeless provider grants
is great. Last year, 270 groups applied for the 53 per diem grants VA
provided, totaling $13 million.
VA is the only federal agency with substantial hands-on assistance
directly to homeless people. In addition to the grant and per diem program,
VA administers specialized homeless assistance programs, establishes health
care and rehabilitation programs for homeless veterans and conducts outreach
to provide benefits counseling and referrals to other VA programs.
"Homeless veterans want to regain personal pride and once again
become productive citizens," said Principi. "It is our duty to do
everything we can to eliminate homelessness among the men and women whose
service to our nation has earned them the honored title of veteran. VA is
committed to working with concerned groups to accomplish this most
worthwhile goal."
WASHINGTON (June 12, 2003) - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
is accepting applications from public and nonprofit private groups for $8
million in grants to develop or expand programs that help veterans recover
from homelessness.
"No man or woman who has worn our nation's uniforms should suffer
the indignity of homelessness," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony
J. Principi. "VA is committed to treating homeless veterans' illnesses and
disabilities and to providing them with transitional housing while they make
their move to self-sufficiency."
Since 1994, VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program has
provided assistance to community and faith-based organizations, Indian
tribal governments, as well as state and local governments that provide
critical services to homeless veterans. Grants can provide up to 65 percent
of the cost of acquiring, constructing or renovating facilities that will be
used for housing, as service centers or to purchase vans for transportation.
This program provided housing to more than 10,000 homeless veterans last
year.
In the past nine years, VA has awarded more than 300 grants totaling
$63 million to public and nonprofit groups in 45 states and the District of
Columbia to provide transitional housing, service centers and vans to
provide transportation to services and employment. The program has made
nearly 6,000 beds available to homeless veterans. VA expects this year's
funds to make an additional 800 beds available.
The deadline for applications is July 18. To learn requirements and
obtain a grant application package, applicants should contact the Grant and
Per Diem Program at (toll-free) 1-877-332-0334 or download the application
from VA's Homeless Assistance Programs and Initiatives web page at:
<http://www.va.gov/homeless> The application package contains all required
forms and certifications.
The first of three priorities for this year's capital grant funding
is for programs located in the seven states that currently have no VA-funded
programs for homeless veterans: Alaska, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, North
Dakota, New Hampshire and Wyoming (approximately $1.4 million). The second
funding priority is for programs affiliated with Indian tribal governments
(approximately $1.4 million). Third, approximately $5.2 million is
available for all other state and local governments, faith-based and
community-based organizations.
One-third of adult homeless men and nearly one-quarter of all
homeless adults are veterans. Competition for VA's homeless provider grants
is great. Last year, 270 groups applied for the 53 per diem grants VA
provided, totaling $13 million.
VA is the only federal agency with substantial hands-on assistance
directly to homeless people. In addition to the grant and per diem program,
VA administers specialized homeless assistance programs, establishes health
care and rehabilitation programs for homeless veterans and conducts outreach
to provide benefits counseling and referrals to other VA programs.
"Homeless veterans want to regain personal pride and once again
become productive citizens," said Principi. "It is our duty to do
everything we can to eliminate homelessness among the men and women whose
service to our nation has earned them the honored title of veteran. VA is
committed to working with concerned groups to accomplish this most
worthwhile goal."