Were You Aware The VA Announced $4 Million in Funding to Help the Homeless?

2015-09-24T18:42:33-04:00

VA Announces $4 Million in Funding to Help the Homeless

WASHINGTON – Today, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert A. McDonald announced the award of $4 million in renewal funding offered through the Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Program to 21 community agencies that currently provide enhanced services for homeless Veterans with special needs.
“These important grant renewals will allow community agencies to continue to provide critical transitional housing services where they are needed,” said VA Secretary Robert A. McDonald. “As a key component of the VA’s plan to significantly reduce homelessness among Veterans, the Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Special Need grants will provide funding to community agencies that provide services to homeless Veterans.
The program promotes the development and provision of supportive housing and services with the goal of helping homeless Veterans achieve residential stability, increase their skill levels and income, and obtain greater self-determination. Specifically, GPD Special Need grant funding will assist with additional operational costs that would not otherwise be incurred but for the fact that the recipient is providing transitional housing and services for the GPD “Special Need” populations, including women, chronically mentally ill, frail elderly, terminally ill, and individuals who have the care of minor dependents.
As a result of these and other efforts, Veteran homelessness is down significantly since the launch of the Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness in 2010. The state of Connecticut and cities of New Orleans, Houston, Phoenix, and Salt Lake City have all recently announced the achievement of significant milestones related to ending Veteran homelessness.

More information about VA’s homeless programs is available at http://www.va.gov/homeless. Community organizations seeking details and/or more information may visit VA’s National Grant and Per Diem Program website http://www.va.gov/homeless/GPD.ASP.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Sep 24 at 2015 6:44 PM

2015-09-24T18:44:12-04:00

We must do all we can to help our homeless... especially our veterans

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2015 6:56 PM

2015-09-24T18:56:53-04:00

I just had a thought. Seeing as how the US Government is thinking of using old, closed down bases in Europe for all those refugees, why don't we take that page and use it for the homeless vets. Take those closed down (yet still have money coming in for upkeep) and house the homeless vets there. And give them jobs to take care of the base.

Response by CPL Glynnda White made Sep 25 at 2015 5:07 AM

2015-09-25T05:07:10-04:00

Yes I'm aware of it. I currently work for the Mental Health & Homeless Issues division of Orange County Government, Orlando, FL. However I am personally working with a veteran in a transitional living situation who I have been able to do more for in our two weeks together than the VA. They have not contacted him yet after two weeks. Just a general call out to my veteran friends in Central Florida has yielded $600.00 in cash donations to help support him until he can get his first paycheck (tomorrow). To date the VA and local homeless services have not provided one dime for this young man.

Response by PO3 Brad Phlipot made Dec 29 at 2015 7:24 PM

2015-12-29T19:24:43-05:00

That is sad as those vets will never see a penny or a home from that money given their past track record, heartbreaking.

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Dec 30 at 2015 1:02 AM

2015-12-30T01:02:12-05:00

I would recommend that all the abandoned military housing, barracks and family housing be renovated and provided rent free to any homeless veteran needing shelter. The veteran would only be responsible for basic up keep and utilities in houses and totally free in renovated barracks. I know where there are a couple of old barracks sitting empty now.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Mar 3 at 2018 3:25 PM

2018-03-03T15:25:53-05:00

A mere drop in the bucket on what is truly needed.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Mar 3 at 2018 4:04 PM

2018-03-03T16:04:39-05:00

Sounds like another scam to me. hundreds of employees "administering " and very little help for vets. The Secretary wasn't even bothered by dead bodies on the lawn while he and his wife were jaunting about Europe with money that is supposed to help the homeless

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Mar 3 at 2018 8:12 PM

2018-03-03T20:12:42-05:00

Seems to me Congress used more than that to cover up ‘Sexual Misconduct’

Response by Susan Foster made Mar 4 at 2018 10:19 AM

2018-03-04T10:19:26-05:00

Good. I'd like to see us tackle this as a country. And if I were the VA, I'd like to know exactly what that's buying. They might get some good ideas from different communities that will help other in what works, and what doesn't.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2018 8:09 PM

2018-03-04T20:09:57-05:00

Well, after all the paperwork and hiring new people to handle this funding, I would be surprised if more than $100,000 reached the actual homeless.

Response by SSG Eddye Royal made Mar 4 at 2018 10:20 PM

2018-03-04T22:20:07-05:00

I have people or Groups that have asked me to be apart of their organization because of the connections to help veterans. I am glad to do so, and get some back on their way to be as independent as possible, and not be in a home, and out of sight out of mind.