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VA Annouces $24 Million in Grants for Homeless Programs...

Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2007 4:35 pm
by boardman
NEWS FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
 
USDVA ANNOUNCES $24 MILLION IN GRANTS FOR HOMELESS PROGRAMS
ALMOST $3 MILLION GOES TO CALIFORNIA
 
The State of California will receive almost $3 million in grants for services for homeless veterans from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA).  In total, homeless veterans in 37 states will get more assistance, thanks to the USDVA’s selection of 92 community organizations to receive $24 million in grant funds for transitional housing this year.
 
"We in California are grateful to the USDVA for providing these resources to our veterans living in the Golden State,” said California Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Tom Johnson.  “A strong partnership between local, state and federal entities is vital as we try to address the challenge of homelessness among our veterans."
 
The USDVA identified the public and community non-profit groups eligible to receive payments for housing and supportive services to homeless veterans through its per diem program, programs for homeless veterans who are seriously mentally and terminally ill, and other various technical assistance programs.
 
“Only through a dedicated partnership with community and faith-based organizations can we hope to reduce homelessness among veterans,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson. "These partnerships provide safe, comfortable housing in caring communities for veterans who need a helping hand."
 
These grants are part of the USDVA’s continuing efforts to reduce homelessness among veterans.  The USDVA has the largest integrated network of homeless assistance programs in the country.  In many cities and rural areas, USDVA social workers and other clinicians working with community and faith-based partners conduct extensive outreach programs, clinical assessments, medical treatments, alcohol and drug abuse counseling and employment assistance.
 
CALIFORNIA RECIPIENTS OF USDVA GRANTS FOR HOMELESS VETERANS
 
CITY

RECIPIENTS

AMOUNT

PROGRAM

Long Beach

United States Veterans Initiative

$135,115

10 beds for women vets

Los Angeles

Single Room Occupancy Housing Corporation

$274,188

24 beds

Los Angeles

Salvation Army, a CA Corp.

$158,990

15 beds for women vets

Los Angeles

Salvation Army

$235,013

10 beds for mentally ill

Los Angeles

Volunteers of America, L.A.

$317,450

25 beds for frail elderly

Sacramento

Vietnam Veterans of CA

$360,180

12 beds for mentally ill

Sacramento

Vietnam Veterans of CA

$279,679

6 beds for women vets

San Diego

Vietnam Veterans of S.D.

$450,000

30 beds for mentally ill

San Francisco

Swords to Plowshares

$196,916

6 beds for frail elderly

San Francisco

Swords to Plowshares

$531,357

20 beds for mentally ill
 
Much work remains to be done, but the partnership effort is making significant progress.  Today, it is estimated that fewer than 200,000 veterans may be homeless on an average night, which represents a 20 percent reduction during the past six years.
 
More information about VA’s homeless programs is available on the Internet at http://www.va.gov/homeless.
 
http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressre ... fm?id=1356

California Department of Veterans Affairs

 

Veterans News

 
Contact:  J.P. Tremblay
Jerry Jones
Jaime Arteaga
Legislation and Public Affairs
916-653-2192
Fax 916-653-2611
July 12, 2007