VA announces grants to support groups working with homeless veterans

PROVIDENCE – A series of grants from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will be awarded in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts to organizations working to help homeless veterans access transitional housing.

The four grants will be awarded beginning in October and will allow up to 97 homeless veterans a chance to enter temporary housing, resulting in an increase of 10 beds to the area covered by the VA Providence Healthcare System.

Grant amounts are based on beds, with the amount varying based on expected occupancy of the bed over time in transitional housing settings, said VA Providence spokesman Winfield S. Danielson III.

 

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Expected grants, which are part of the Grant Per Diem program, are to fall under three varying categories:

  • Per Diem Only, which reimburses grantees via per diem payments for the cost of caring for homeless veterans.
  • Special Needs Grants, for organizations that incur additional costs while helping homeless veterans with special needs, including chronic mental illness and caring for minor dependents.
  • Transition in Place grants for organizations that place homeless veterans in housing with the ultimate goal of the veteran assuming full financial responsibility for the home.

“No veteran should have to worry about whether they have stable housing,” said Lawrence Connell, director of the VA Providence Healthcare System. “These GPD grants are an important part of the services and resources VA offers to help veterans exit homelessness.”

Elizabeth Graham is a PBN contributing writer.