VA Grant Programs For the Homeless
The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, or VA, has several grants that help homeless veterans obtain housing and support services. To get help, you can call the National Call Center at 1-877-424-3838 to speak with a counselor 24 hours a day. These services are confidential and provided at no cost to the vet. The counselor can help the veteran find a program in his area. Family members can call on behalf of a homeless veteran to get him help. The VA website also has a chat system, where veterans can connect with a counselor online.
Other People Are Reading
-
HUD-VASH
-
The Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing, or HUD-VASH, program provides a rental subsidy for homeless veterans. HUD has provided 20,000 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers for homeless veterans. To qualify for help, the veteran must lack a fixed nighttime residence. The veteran's family is able to reside in the unit as long as he remains the head of household. Case management and supportive services are provided along with the rental subsidy.
Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program
-
This program helps homeless veteran families with one-time grant to secure housing. The money can be used to pay for rent, security and utility deposits, and other moving expenses. The money is paid directly to the property owner, truck rental company or other third party service providers. To qualify for help, the veteran's income cannot exceed 50 percent of the area median income. The program also provides supportive services like child care, transportation and housing counseling, to ensure the family can maintain their residential stability.
-
Grant and Per Diem Program
-
The VA Health Care for Homeless Veterans program provides Grant and Per Diem funding to community-based organizations committed to veteran homeless prevention. Organizations can apply to receive up to 65 percent of the cost to acquire, rehabilitate or construct a piece of property to be used for transitional housing. The veteran may be asked to pay 30 percent of his income toward rent. The organization is required to match 35 percent of the grant fund from their own resources.
Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program
-
The Department of Labor has provided $36 million to the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program, or HVRP. This program helps veterans become self-sufficient through case management, job training and counseling. Grants are provided to local governments and non-profit agencies in amounts of up to $300,000. This program does not require the organization to match the grant funds. The grant is not to be used for transitional and permanent housing or emergency shelter programs.
-
References
- U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs: The Department of Housing and Urban Development and VA's Supported Housing (HUD-VASH) Program
- U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs: Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program
- U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs: Grant and Per Diem Program
- National Coalition for Homeless Veterans: Federal Grants for Homeless Veteran Service Providers
- Photo Credit homeless image by Radu Razvan from Fotolia.com
