Secretary Shinseki Announces an Additional $10.3 Million to Help Eliminate Veterans Homelessness

WASHINGTON – Eleven states will share more than $10.3 million in grants to community groups to provide enhanced services for homeless Veterans this year. This is in addition to the $59.5 million in preventive grants awarded earlier this year. “Homelessness is a national issue that will be solved at the local level,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “VA is proud to partner with the community organizations that share our dedication to serving those who served this Nation. They are pulling Veterans out of homelessness and setting them on the path to independence.” As a key component of VA’s plan to eliminate homelessness among Veterans, VA’s Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program provides grants and per diem payments to help public and nonprofit organizations establish and operate supportive housing and service centers for homeless Veterans. As a result of this funding, provided through a program known as VA Special Need Grants for Homeless Veterans Service Providers, 26 projects will receive approximately $10.3 million to continue providing enhanced services for homeless Veterans who are seriously mentally ill. The grants will also greatly benefit homeless women Veterans, including women with children, elderly women, or those who may be terminally ill. For more information, visit VA’s website for the National Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Office at www.va.gov/homeless/GPD.ASP. Additionally, VA has a National Call Center for Homeless Veterans, 1-877-4AID VET (1-877-424-3838), www.va.gov/HOMELESS/NationalCallCenter.asp. Recipients of VA Special Need Grants for Homeless Veterans Service Providers State City Recipients Special Need Population Amount AR Little Rock St. Francis House, Inc. Chronically mentally ill $367,500 CA Los Angeles Salvation Army, a California Corporation Women, including women who have care of minor dependents $325,500 San Francisco Swords to Plowshares Chronically mentally ill $682,499 San Francisco Swords to Plowshares Frail elderly $331,638 Los Angeles The Salvation Army Chronically mentally ill $300,337 Long Beach United States Veterans Initiative, Inc. Women, including women who have care of minor dependents $252,138 Sacramento Vietnam Veterans of California, Inc. Women, including women who have care of minor dependents $321,454 Sacramento Vietnam Veterans of California, Inc. Chronically mentally ill $436,106 San Diego Vietnam Veterans of San Diego Women, including women who have care of minor dependents $300,615 San Diego Vietnam Veterans of San Diego Chronically mentally ill $550,200 Los Angeles Volunteers of America Los Angeles frail elderly $524,941 CO Denver Catholic Charities and Community Services Denver Chronically mentally ill $629,207 FL Cocoa Volunteers of America of Florida, Inc. Chronically mentally ill $365,492 IN Indianapolis HVAF of Indiana, Inc. Chronically mentally ill $498,750 MA Leeds United Veterans of America, Inc. Chronically mentally ill $520,597 Leeds United Veterans of America, Inc. Women, including women who have care of minor dependents $206,126 Boston Vietnam Veterans Workshop, Inc. Frail elderly $308,452 Boston Vietnam Veterans Workshop, Inc. Chronically mentally ill $452,686 MD Hagerstown Way Station, Inc. Chronically mentally ill $481,768 NY Bay Shore United Veterans Beacon House, Inc. Frail elderly $250,950 OH Cleveland Volunteers of America of Greater Ohio, Inc. Chronically mentally ill $498,750 Columbus Volunteers of America of Greater Ohio, Inc. Chronically mentally ill $420,000 Cleveland West Side Catholic Center Women, including women who have care of minor dependents $105,000 TX El Paso Opportunity Center for the Homeless Chronically mentally ill $261,872 Houston United States Veterans Initiative, Inc. Chronically mentally ill $420,000 UT Salt Lake City First Step House, Inc. Chronically mentally ill $479,267