Nearly $60 Million in Homeless Prevention Grants Awarded Nationwide

[white cloud]

WASHINGTON (July 26, 2011) - Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K.
Shinseki announced today the award of nearly $60 million in homeless
prevention grants that will serve approximately 22,000 homeless and
at-risk Veteran families as part of the new Supportive Services for
Veteran Families (SSVF) program. This initial $60 million award will
serve Veteran families at 85 non-profit community agencies in 40 states
and the District of Columbia under VA's new homeless prevention
initiative.

"This new homeless prevention program will provide additional
comprehensive support to Veterans who have served honorably, and now
find themselves in a downward spiral toward despair and homelessness,"
said VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki. "This program expands our capacity
to act before a Veteran becomes homeless and to target the problem of
family homelessness. These grants would not have been possible without
the extraordinary partnerships forged with community organizers who are
firmly committed to making a positive difference in lives of Veterans
and their families."

The SSVF Program, a critical element of VA's plan to prevent and end
homelessness among Veterans, will promote housing stability among
homeless and at-risk Veterans and their families. Under the SSVF
program, VA awards grants to private non-profit organizations and
consumer cooperatives that can provide a range of supportive services to
eligible very low-income Veteran families. Supportive services include
outreach, case management, assistance in obtaining VA benefits, and
assistance in obtaining and coordinating other public benefits.
Grantees will also have the ability to make time-limited temporary
financial assistance payments on behalf of Veterans for purposes such as
rent payments, utility payments, security deposits and moving costs.

More information about VA's homeless programs is available online at
http://www.va.gov/homeless <http://www.va.gov/homeless> . A list of
award recipients and details about the Supportive Services for Veteran
Families program are available online at
http://www1.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp
<http://www1.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp> .