VA Announces $30 Million in Grant Funding to Assist Formerly Homeless Veterans

HomelessImage via Pixabay

The Department of Veterans Affairs recently announced $30 million in grant funding for organizations that will help formerly homeless Veterans maintain their independence and housing stability. This funding opportunity will give case managers the tools they need to connect Veterans with the services they need to stay housed. These case managers will be able to troubleshoot any challenges or barriers that Veterans may face when transitioning into permanent housing. Ultimately, veterans will be able to connect with necessary services and overcome any challenges they may face in obtaining and maintaining permanent housing.

VA stated that it anticipates awarding 100 Case Management Grants for up to $300,000 each to support approximately 150 case manager positions nationwide. Awards will fund two years of operations, starting on Oct. 1, 2023, and ending Sept. 30, 2025. The funds are available through VA’s Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program.

Ending Veteran homelessness is a top priority of the VA. The number of Veterans experiencing homelessness has fallen by 11% since early 2020 and 55.3% since 2010. Additionally, in 2022, VA placed more than 40,000 homeless Veterans into permanent housing — exceeding VA’s goal by more than 6%. In late 2022, the Biden Administration released All In: The Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness, which lays out the goal of reducing homelessness for all Americans by 25% by 2025.

“For many Veterans experiencing homelessness, moving into permanent housing is the first step toward the stability and independence they deserve,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “But our work doesn’t stop there — these case managers help ensure that once Veterans become housed, they get the resources they need to stay housed.”

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VA’s efforts to combat Veteran homelessness are grounded in reaching out to homeless Veterans, understanding their unique needs, and addressing them. These efforts are built upon the evidence-based “Housing First” approach, which prioritizes getting a Veteran into housing, then provides the Veteran with the wraparound support they need to stay housed — including health care, job training, legal and education assistance and more.

Eligible entities, as described in the Notice of Funding Opportunity, may apply for these Case Management Grants. Grant applications must be received by the GPD Program Office by 4 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 4, 2023. View the NOFO and learn more about GPD or email GPDGrants@va.gov.

If you are a Veteran or know a Veteran who is experiencing homelessness or at risk for homelessness, call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-4AID-VET (877-424-3838). Visit the VA Homeless Programs website to learn about housing initiatives and other programs for Veterans exiting homelessness.

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