The Biden Administration and the Department of Veterans Affairs on Thursday announced an ambitious plan that combines $3.1 billion in community support grants with $11.5 million in legal services grants to reduce the number of homeless veterans.
White House Domestic Policy Advisor Neera Tanden called the effort an important next step in the battle to address veteran homelessness.
“Everyone should have a roof over their head,” she said during a call with reporters on June 28.
The community support grants will be awarded through the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Continuum of Care program to community groups and local governments to support those facing homelessness.
Officials cautioned that the CoC grants are not strictly for veterans. Instead, those participating in the program will work with local VA Medical Centers “to ensure these funds are effectively supporting veterans and their families.”
VA officials earlier this year said they are on target to meet their goal of permanently housing 38,000 at-risk for homelessness veterans this year. That is even as advocacy groups have cautioned that the end of COVID-19 support programs has led to funding cuts that threaten programs.
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VA and HUD will come together in the fall to hold “boot camps” on veteran homelessness where they will discuss the best ways to reach out and help homeless veterans and how to coordinate the federal response to help them, officials said.
Funds from the VA’s new Legal Services for Veterans Grant Program were awarded to 79 public or non-profit organizations that help veterans obtain public benefits, including disability compensation; defend veterans in criminal cases that can prolong or increase their risk of homelessness, such as outstanding warrants, fines, or driver’s license revocation; and assist with requests to upgrade characterization of discharges or dismissals of former members of the military.
VA Secretary Denis McDonough said during Wednesday’s call that there is a link between veteran homelessness and involvement with the criminal justice system.
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“So our ability to help those veterans who are struggling with justice system involvement will directly impact our ability to end veteran homelessness,” he said. “In fact, legal support can be the difference between coming home homeless in the first instance, or having a safe, stable house.”
A new $58 million grant program from the Department of Labor Veterans’ Employment and Training Service will match homeless veterans with job opportunities.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.
If you are 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 here VA Homeless Programs website to learn about housing initiatives and other programs for veterans exiting homelessness.